THE GOVERNMENT says it has seen no evidence that Severn crossing tolls affect investment in South Wales.

The claim, given in a response to a House of Commons report into the impact of the tolls, was received with bemusement by one Gwent Labour politician yesterday.

Earlier in the year the Welsh Affairs Select Committee said that businesses had argued the tolls are a barrier to business activity.

The government, in response to the report, said: “Currently we have seen no evidence that tolls in a disincentive to business investment.

“The new Severn Crossing has greatly improved the transport links into Wales which is likely to have supported business investment in Wales.”

In 2009 Severn River Crossing PLC turned over £77.3 million, making a profit of £4 million.

Jessica Morden, Newport East MP and a member of the committee, questioned what a business in Bristol would say if it was suddenly saddled with tolls on top of soaring fuel costs.

“Talk to any businesses and they will say that the bridge tolls are crippling them.”

The original report said there is no hard quantify evidence as to the effect on transport.

David Davies, Conservative MP for Monmouth and chairman of the committee, said he was also a “little disappointed” with the response on the economic impact of the tolls.

“Technically speaking its correct,” he said. “but what we would be saying is that we think there’s anecdotal evidence.”