WITH Severn bridge tolls set to increase from January 1, Gwent businesses and politicians are concerned about the threat they could pose to the Welsh economy.

Tolls will increase from £5.40 to £5.50 for cars and motor caravans and from £16.30 to £16.40 for heavy goods vehicles and buses.

The toll for small goods vehicles and small buses will remain at £10.90.

The increases will come into effect under the Severn Bridges Act 1992.

But hauliers like Terry Smith, director of Bridgetime Transport in Cwmbran, said the tolls are “crucifying” his business.

He estimated the 10p rise for HGV lorries will cost his firm an extra £1,500 over the year and would like to see the toll scrapped.

Politicians have hit out at the decision to go ahead with the annual increase on the Severn tolls after the bridge was closed on Wednesday because of falling ice on to the carriageway.

South Wales East AM Michael German said he had great expectations that the UK Government would help lift the burden off businesses and commuters in Wales who have no choice but to pay.

Despite hundreds of people supporting an online campaign and cross party support in the Assembly and at Westminster, Mr German said the demand had fallen on deaf ears especially when the government had frozen bridge tolls in Yorkshire until 2011.

Newport East AM John Griffiths said the company which runs the Severn Crossing toll roads should use the toll money to investigate how to prevent falling ice on the bridges.

He has written to the Assembly’s transport minister to ask him to do everything he can to make the company fully investigate the problem and how to overcome it.

The Freight Transport Association said goods vehicles already pay more to use the Severn crossings than they do for tolls in other parts of the country.

Ian Gallagher from the Association said: “The extra ten pence per lorry may not seem a lot for the average motorist but it will make a most unwelcome Christmas present for those companies struggling to stay afloat.”

Severn River Crossing Plc was not able to comment.