Bin Severn bridge tolls - AM (From South Wales Argus)

Bin Severn bridge tolls - AM

12:40pm Wednesday 15th October 2008

TOLL tax should be sent the same way as the poll tax, says the leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats.

Michael German has called for Severn tolls to be frozen next year and for them to be scrapped in the long term.

He was speaking in the Senedd on the day it emerged that the bridge charges are to increase by five per cent.

Mr German, South Wales East AM, challenged First Minister Rhodri Morgan to lobby UK Transport ministers for a one-year freeze on toll rises to help the Welsh economy.

“This tax on coming in to Wales is already a significant psychological barrier to investors and tourists."

Mr German added that, at the same time, the minister could also modernise the ways tolls can be collected to include card payments.

"Those of us who use the bridges have already paid more than £700m in tolls. It only cost £300m to build the second crossing.

“Will you support the campaign to send the toll tax the same way as the poll tax?”

In reply Mr Morgan declined, but said the question might make “a very good headline in the South Wales Argus”.

Patrick Long, head of the Newport-based Chamber of Commerce, told the Argus he agreed with Mr German's proposals.

He added they wanted to attract people to Wales and costs were high enough without having the tolls.

Mr Long also thought ATM machines should be introduced. Visitors would be coming to events like the Ryder Cup from all over Wales and they were not all going to have cash.

Cllr Matthew Evans, Newport council leader, also supported the proposal as he said some people viewed the tolls as a barrier to investment in Wales.

“The eventual abolition of the tolls would further enhance Newport’s position in the UK market, making it an even more attractive proposition for potential investors".