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With the toll to cross the Severn bridge set to rise, the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales and the Freight Transport Association are calling for an immediate cut in Severn Crossings tolls once the bridges pass into public hands.
The organisations reckon the toll should be reduced to cover maintenance only, when the current contract with Severn River Crossing plc comes to an end.
The FTA says a recent report by Arup for the Welsh Government suggested that if the bridge tolls were abolished it could boost economic output in Wales by £107million.
Ian Gallagher, Freight Transport Association Head of Policy for Wales and the South West said: “For too long businesses have had to pay high tolls to use the Severn Crossings; which are a vital artery between Wales and England. FTA believes that the tolls must be reduced as soon as the bridges pass into public ownership.
“As we look to the future, it is clear that the method by which the Seven Crossings were funded is not a suitable blueprint for new infrastructure projects, and we would call for government to steer well clear of any similar schemes.”
