CAR drivers will pay an extra 20p to use the Severn Crossings from January, it was announced yesterday.

But this announcement has been described as a "massive body blow" by industry figures after their calls for a toll freeze were ignored.

Car drivers will pay £5.70 from the start of next year.

Category two vehicles, which includes small vans, will see an increase of 60p and will pay £11.50 while category three vehicles, which includes HGV drivers, will pay an increase of 80p with the fare rising to £17.20.

The announcement was made by UK transport minister Mike Penning yesterday to the Welsh Affairs Select Committee.

But Ian Gallagher, the Freight Transport Association's policy manager for Wales, said the decision was "irresponsible" and that it could be the last straw for many companies already struggling in tough trading conditions.

He said: "Mike Penning’s announcement has come as a massive body blow to the industry which will be felt across Wales and the south west of England."

The Association said there were genuine fears that the increase could force companies to consider redundancies and even insolvencies.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden said it was "deeply disappointing" that the call for a freeze on the Severn tolls this year has gone unheeded.

She said the Minister must be more robust in negotiating with Severn River Crossings - the current operators of the bridges.

William Graham, Assembly Member for South Wales East, said the future costs for crossing the bridges is needed so further economic investment can be attracted into the area.

EDITORIAL COMMENT: End queues at toll booths

IT IS of course no surprise that the Severn Bridge tolls will rise in January.

Neither is it much of a shock that next year cars will pay an extra 20p to cross the bridge.

Yet we can fully understand the frustration of motorists who once again seem to be facing an increasing cost burden.

While private motorists may balk at paying £5.70 every time they cross the bridge in to Wales, for the Freight Transport Association the cost increase will push tolls for HGVs to £17.20 a time.

For those firms already spending hundreds of thousands of pounds a year on tolls the rise will amount to a significant increase.

The FTA was among those calling for a freeze on tolls in January. We have to admit we did not think there was much chance of that.

But we urge UK transport Minister Mike Penning to at least work towards trying to end the congestion and queuing at the toll booths because of the inability of drivers to pay in advance.

This seems to us the very least he can do.

He is not convinced the tolls have an effect on the Welsh economy but he does have some sympathy with those who fear the queues have a negative effect on the perception of Wales.

We await some investment in ridding us of this problem and can only look forward to 2017 when at last cheaper tolls may be considered.