DRIVERS will be able to resume paying the toll on the Severn bridges with credit and debit cards within days, MPs were told today.

Card payment machines were installed during last month's Ryder Cup, but were removed after the tournament at Newport's Celtic Manor resort.

It meant motorists could pay the £5.50 charge to cross the Severn into Wales by card for the first time since the tolls were introduced.

Jim Clune, general manager of Severn River Crossing PLC, told MPs card payment was suspended so the company could "refine’’ the system. A permanent system is planned for early next year.

Mr Clune was giving evidence to the Commons' Welsh Affairs Committee which is holding an inquiry into the bridge tolls.

He said: "We had a number of difficulties putting the temporary system in place for the Ryder Cup.

"We will be keeping the facility in place.

"It will be back running in a matter of days. This is the temporary system. It will be replaced by a permanent system in the first quarter of next year.’’ He said only 2% of drivers used the opportunity to pay with plastic instead of cash during the week it was available.

"What the take-up in the future might be I am not able to say,’’ he said.

Installing number-plate recognition or GPS technology to speed-up the process would involve dismantling the toll booths on both bridges over the Severn, he added.

Committee member Geraint Davies said forcing people to pay with cash as they drive into Wales was a "horse and cart’’ system.

"It does really give the wrong impression for Wales itself,’’ he said.

Tolls are paid to cover the cost of building the Second Severn Crossing. The takings are estimated to hit the target by 2017.

Responsibility for the bridge lies with the Department for Transport in Whitehall.

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told the committee, which met in the Assembly, he had commissioned a study into the economic impact of the tolls.

Mr Jones, the Assembly Government's transport minister, said the way the tolls were collected was "archaic’’, adding: "I would favour the introduction of a more modern way of payment.’’