THE First Minister Carwyn Jones today called for the UK Government to hand over control of the charges of the Severn Crossings to Cardiff.

Although he says it is too soon to say whether the best solution is for Wales to take over tolls on the bridges, Mr Jones told a press conference if it did take responsibility they'd hope to cut the cost of using the crossings.

It comes after a study into the impact of the tolls found they were costing the Welsh economy £80 million a year.

Mr Jones called for early discussions with the UK Government about the future arrangements for the crossings when the current agreement that allows a private operator to run them and collect tolls ends.

The agreement, known as a concession, is estimated to end in 2018. Mr Jones, speaking at a press conference in Cardiff, said: "I hope we would be able to cut them [the tolls], not to get rid of them, that's more difficult given the need to ensure that sufficient money is there to maintain the bridges."

Mr Jones added it would be unacceptable for the UK Government to retain the income from tolling after 2018.

A letter to Monmouth MP David Davies and reported by the Argus last Saturday revealed the government believes it has at least £112 million worth of costs on the bridges and can continue to toll after 2018 to pay them off.

"The whole point of the tolls is to pay for the bridges," Mr Jones added. "If there's an outstanding £100 million debt I don't know where it comes from."