DRIVERS using the Severn bridges will be able to pay tolls by credit and debit cards by the end of the year, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said yesterday.

Politicians have campaigned for the technology to be introduced to allow card payments on both the M48 Severn Bridge and the M4 Second Severn Crossing over the past few years.

Motorists entering Wales must currently pay £5.50 for cars and £16.40 for lorries in cash.

A working group, involving the Highways Agency, Assembly and Severn River Crossing PLC 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.

Mr Jones told AMs in the Senedd yesterday that the situation was likely to be resolved later this year.

He said the cost of installing the new payment system was a matter for the UK Government and the company operating the bridges, Severn River Crossing PLC.

Mr Jones said: “I think you're aware that credit and debit cards are likely to be used on the bridges in the latter part of the year.

"I think it's an excellent innovation. The costing arrangements of course is a matter for the concessionaire and other organisations involved.”

South Wales East AM Mike German, who raised the issue in the Assembly, said he asked Mr Jones for a more specific date of when the system would be introduced, but the minister could not be more precise than “later this year.”

Mr German expressed concern that motorists would be left to pay the bank charges for processing the payments.