This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-42582523

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Severn Bridge tolls cut for first time Severn Bridge tolls cut for first time
(35 minutes later)
Tolls on the two Severn crossings have been reduced for the first time amid calls the fees should be scrapped now they are both in public ownership.Tolls on the two Severn crossings have been reduced for the first time amid calls the fees should be scrapped now they are both in public ownership.
The price cut is for private vehicles as VAT has been removed now the UK government runs the bridges.The price cut is for private vehicles as VAT has been removed now the UK government runs the bridges.
They will have their tolls removed by the end of 2018 but a former shadow Welsh Secretary said it should happen immediately.They will have their tolls removed by the end of 2018 but a former shadow Welsh Secretary said it should happen immediately.
The UK government said the fees will help phase out tolling and maintenance.The UK government said the fees will help phase out tolling and maintenance.
Severn River Crossing PLC, whose tolling revenue in 2017 was between £8m and £10m a month, handed the running of both bridges to the Department for Transport at midnight on Sunday.Severn River Crossing PLC, whose tolling revenue in 2017 was between £8m and £10m a month, handed the running of both bridges to the Department for Transport at midnight on Sunday.
'Highway robbery''Highway robbery'
Charges for cars travelling into south Wales from England will drop to £5.60 from £6.70 as Highways England take charge of the M4 and M48 bridges.Charges for cars travelling into south Wales from England will drop to £5.60 from £6.70 as Highways England take charge of the M4 and M48 bridges.
The Conservative-run UK government said they will abolish the Severn tolls altogether by the end of 2018 but Welsh Labour politicians accused ministers of "highway robbery" by continuing the tolls now they were publicly owned.The Conservative-run UK government said they will abolish the Severn tolls altogether by the end of 2018 but Welsh Labour politicians accused ministers of "highway robbery" by continuing the tolls now they were publicly owned.
"Wales has been subjected to highway robbery by tolling from when the first bridge opened in 1966," said Newport West MP Paul Flynn."Wales has been subjected to highway robbery by tolling from when the first bridge opened in 1966," said Newport West MP Paul Flynn.
"We have been uniquely punished. This month we should be ending the tolls altogether - to continue them is a rip off."We have been uniquely punished. This month we should be ending the tolls altogether - to continue them is a rip off.
"It is entirely unjustified. The UK government are very reluctant to give up a cash cow.""It is entirely unjustified. The UK government are very reluctant to give up a cash cow."
It has been estimated by the Welsh Government that the ultimate abolition of the charges - paid on entry to Wales - will benefit the Welsh economy by about £100m a year.It has been estimated by the Welsh Government that the ultimate abolition of the charges - paid on entry to Wales - will benefit the Welsh economy by about £100m a year.
'Finally''Finally'
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said removing the tolls would make journeys cheaper for commuters and tourists, as well as creating "exciting opportunities for businesses and investors looking to make their mark in Wales".
"This will boost Welsh employment and establish lasting relationships between the economies and communities of south Wales and south west England, creating the most natural growth corridor spanning from Cardiff through Newport to Bristol," he added.
Ken Skates, Wales' economy and transport secretary, said: "We have continuously called on the UK government to abolish the Severn Tolls and are pleased they have finally listened."Ken Skates, Wales' economy and transport secretary, said: "We have continuously called on the UK government to abolish the Severn Tolls and are pleased they have finally listened."
But he did say: "Although we, like users on both sides of the bridge, would question why these tolls are not scrapped from the point of returning to public ownership."But he did say: "Although we, like users on both sides of the bridge, would question why these tolls are not scrapped from the point of returning to public ownership."
The Queen opened the £8m first bridge in 1966 on the M48 while the M4 bridge, built three miles downstream across the Severn Estuary, was financed by a private consortium set up in 1992.The Queen opened the £8m first bridge in 1966 on the M48 while the M4 bridge, built three miles downstream across the Severn Estuary, was financed by a private consortium set up in 1992.
The second bridge, opened in 1996, cost £332m to construct but the eventual repayments including debt repayments, interest and tax are more than £1.3bn.The second bridge, opened in 1996, cost £332m to construct but the eventual repayments including debt repayments, interest and tax are more than £1.3bn.
"The bridges are paid for, there is no debt and the Severn crossings are part of the road system - and should be free," added Mr Flynn."The bridges are paid for, there is no debt and the Severn crossings are part of the road system - and should be free," added Mr Flynn.
Annual maintenance and operational costs average £15m between both bridges and the UK government said the continuation of tolling will help pay for their upkeep.Annual maintenance and operational costs average £15m between both bridges and the UK government said the continuation of tolling will help pay for their upkeep.
It said in a statement: "Over the period between the transfer to public ownership on 8 January and the abolition of tolling, Highways England expect to collect sufficient revenue to operate the crossing, phase out tolling, and recover costs that taxpayers historically incurred in the maintenance of these bridges.It said in a statement: "Over the period between the transfer to public ownership on 8 January and the abolition of tolling, Highways England expect to collect sufficient revenue to operate the crossing, phase out tolling, and recover costs that taxpayers historically incurred in the maintenance of these bridges.
"Tolls will then be abolished by the end of 2018.""Tolls will then be abolished by the end of 2018."
About 25 million journeys a year are made across the two bridges and daily users of the crossing could save about £1,400 a year now the toll has been removed.About 25 million journeys a year are made across the two bridges and daily users of the crossing could save about £1,400 a year now the toll has been removed.
'Staff uncertainty''Staff uncertainty'
Severn River Crossing's 180 staff have been transferred to become Highways England employees overnight but with tolls set to be scrapped, 115 jobs are at risk.Severn River Crossing's 180 staff have been transferred to become Highways England employees overnight but with tolls set to be scrapped, 115 jobs are at risk.
"It is policy of all major political parties to remove tolls and if you don't have tolls you don't need toll collectors," said departing Severn River Crossing chief executive Phil Smith."It is policy of all major political parties to remove tolls and if you don't have tolls you don't need toll collectors," said departing Severn River Crossing chief executive Phil Smith.
"We've had programmes running to up-skill those individuals and it is up to Highways England to carry that forward and deal with them as sympathetically as possible.""We've had programmes running to up-skill those individuals and it is up to Highways England to carry that forward and deal with them as sympathetically as possible."
Severn River Crossing PLC spent £228m on maintenance of the bridges over the past 25 years and the 60-strong team expected their work to continue.Severn River Crossing PLC spent £228m on maintenance of the bridges over the past 25 years and the 60-strong team expected their work to continue.
"There is a lot of experience in our team and Highways England know we are the best people to maintain the crossings," said engineering operations manager Rick Shaw."There is a lot of experience in our team and Highways England know we are the best people to maintain the crossings," said engineering operations manager Rick Shaw.
"Their first priority is the travelling pubic and these crossings have to be maintained and kept open. As far as we're concerned, it is business as usual.""Their first priority is the travelling pubic and these crossings have to be maintained and kept open. As far as we're concerned, it is business as usual."