MOTORISTS using the Severn bridges may soon be able to pay by card.

Discussions with banks are well underway on the possibility of introducing credit and debit card payments at the tolls on the two bridges.

A working group, involving the Highways Agency, Assembly and Severn River Crossing PLC(SRC) was set up in October 2007 to look at the feasibility of accepting credit and debit cards.

The group reported back to the Highways Agency to say it could be done “in principle” and work is now being carried out to decide on the practicalities.

A Highways Agency spokesman said: “The working group presented its findings in early October to the Highways Agency chief executive. It established that, in principle, it is feasible to accept credit or debit cards as a method of toll payment at Severn crossings.

“A number of detailed operational, technical, financial and contractual issues need to be considered for the project to move forward.”

He said detailed financial discussions between banks and equipment suppliers were ongoing.

Jim Clune, SRC general manager, said: “We hope it will happen, but it’s not within our powers as a company as the legislation needs to be changed.”

Mr Clune said technical issues were being sorted out, but the UK government had to change the legislation allow the system to be introduced.

An Assembly spokesman said that although the Assembly has no “legal footing” in determining how tolls are operated, they would support “any change to allow credit card usage if the Department for Transport were to make such a decision.”