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05/11/2012
Severn Bridges Toll Scrappage Would Boost Economy
Scrapping the Severn bridges toll could boost the Welsh economy by £107m, according to a government report.
First Minister Carwyn Jones believes control of the bridges should be transferred from the UK government to the Welsh government by 2018.
The Welsh government report says businesses and consumers spend £80m a year crossing the Severn bridges. They worked with Engineering consultants Arup to discover what would happen if the tolls were halved, increased by 50% or scrapped altogether.
The tolls range from £6 for a car to £18.10 for the large lorries and buses.
Abolishing the tolls would increase traffic by an estimated 12% boost productivity by around 0.48 and improving south Wales' economic output by around £107m.
The FM said: "I want to work with the UK government to achieve a situation where decisions about charging will be a matter for the Welsh government.
"It is too soon to say what the best solution would be if we gained control over the tolls.
"There are a number of options available and we would need careful consideration of how any revenue raised would be used.
"However, what is clear is that these decisions should be made in Wales."
Severn River Crossings Plc's concession will end when takings from the tolls reach £996m at 1989 prices, this is scheduled for 2017.
(GK)
First Minister Carwyn Jones believes control of the bridges should be transferred from the UK government to the Welsh government by 2018.
The Welsh government report says businesses and consumers spend £80m a year crossing the Severn bridges. They worked with Engineering consultants Arup to discover what would happen if the tolls were halved, increased by 50% or scrapped altogether.
The tolls range from £6 for a car to £18.10 for the large lorries and buses.
Abolishing the tolls would increase traffic by an estimated 12% boost productivity by around 0.48 and improving south Wales' economic output by around £107m.
The FM said: "I want to work with the UK government to achieve a situation where decisions about charging will be a matter for the Welsh government.
"It is too soon to say what the best solution would be if we gained control over the tolls.
"There are a number of options available and we would need careful consideration of how any revenue raised would be used.
"However, what is clear is that these decisions should be made in Wales."
Severn River Crossings Plc's concession will end when takings from the tolls reach £996m at 1989 prices, this is scheduled for 2017.
(GK)
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