ACTION needs to be taken to ease congestion on the Severn Bridges – and that could include a new charge.

The removal of tolls on the bridges was seen as a boost for South Wales and the West of England – but more traffic is having an effect on the road network.

New bus routes, park and rides and junction improvements are being considered to relieve the pressure – and to help fund them, authorities are looking at ‘demand-management measures, such as charging measures and controls’, on both sides of the Severn.

The ideas are revealed in the West of England’s latest joint local transport plan (JLTP), the region’s infrastructure blueprint up to 2036.

No timescales are given and there is no detail on how any charges would be levied.

The JLTP also proposes improving the public transport links between the West of England, Chepstow, Newport and Cardiff

The JLTP says scrapping the Severn Bridge tolls was likely to increase delays on already congested sections of the M4 and M5.

It says the result will be more traffic on roads across the West of England.

There could also be “increased delay to buses, as they get stuck in additional traffic. Trains could also become less attractive, as the cost of travelling by private car becomes more comparable”.

The JLTP says it is uncertain if improvements to public transport will be enough to counter all the extra traffic and the environmental impact.

A West of England Combined Authority spokesman said: “The removal of the tolls provides many opportunities to boost the economies of the West of England and South Wales.

“We are working with the Department for Transport, Highways England, Wales Office and Welsh Government – as well as our constituent councils – to ensure we make the most of these opportunities, while mitigating any potentially negative impacts.

“This includes considering measures to reduce traffic flow and cut congestion.”