Last Tuesday the UK Government informed in a press release that the Severn Crossing will become toll-free on 17 December 2018. Until then the trucks will still have to pay 16.70 pounds to cross the River Severn from England into Wales.
It is estimated that the abolishing of toll will generate 100m pounds each year to the Welsh economy.
Removing the tolls from the Severn bridges will help transform the economy in South Wales and the South West, putting over £1,000 a year back in the pockets of hard-working families,” comments Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling.
Both FTA and RHA welcomed the announcement. They predict that logistics businesses in the region will profit from the abolishing of tolls.
Removal of the tolls has been a long-term policy position for FTA, with members on both sides of the bridges incurring some of the highest toll charges in the UK just to go about their daily work,” said Sally Gilson, head of policy for Wales at the FTA for MotorTransport.co.uk
Richard Burnett, RHA chief executive, is concerned about the increased traffic on the bridge, which may lead to heavy congestion and traffic jams.
Removing the tolls will be a tremendous boost to businesses who use these major routes. However, the in traffic will inevitably put more strain on the road network. If the infrastructure can’t cope then the benefits will be offset by the incr
increase ease in congestion,” said the RHA chief executive.
Photo: WikimediaCommons.org/Jongleur100 [Public domain]