TRANSPORT pressure group the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have joined forces with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in calling for an immediate cut in the Severn Crossings tolls, once the bridges pass into public hands.

The company which operates the bridges, Severn Crossings PLC, are due to lose their franchise on both the bridges in 2018, or when their revenue reaches £996m, at 1989 prices. But the FTA, backed by the FSB, are demanding the government should reduce the tolls to no more than the cost of maintaining the bridges.

Head of policy for the FTA in Wales, Ian Gallagher said: "For too long businesses have had to pay high tolls to use the Severn Crossings, which are a vital artery.

"FTA believes that the tolls must be reduced as soon as the bridges pass into public ownership."

He added: "As we look to the future, it is clear that the method by which the Severn Crossings were funded is not a suitable blueprint for new infrastructure projects, and we would call for government to steer well clear of any similar schemes."

Chairman of the Forest of Dean branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, Don Burgess of Freeminer Brewery, told the Review: "The FSB Forest of Dean branch is pleased to see the debate concerning the bridge tolls is being kept on the 'hot-plate'.

"The Forest of Dean is affected by the fees charged for the Severn Bridges, either directly by on-costs to anything transported along the M4/M48 corridor, and also by increased traffic as operators attempt to avoid bridge tolls by using the A48 and other local roads, instead of staying on the M5 and crossing via the M48 or M4."

He added: "The branch has already had input into the ongoing discussions, and is keen that the Welsh Assembly recognise that we are as affected by the economic and environmental impact of the tolls as South Wales, and look forward to contributing further to the debate."

The tolls rose once again on January 1, as they do each year. The current prices are: Vehicle Category 1 (up to 9 seats/motor caravans) £6.40, Vehicle Category 2 (small bus up to 17 seats/goods vehicles up to 3,500 kg) £12.80, Vehicle Category 3 (18 seats and more/goods vehicles over 3,500 kg) £19.20.

The tolls have risen by 20p for Category 1, 40p for Category 2, and 60p for Category 3.

Annual season tickets are now priced at £1,351 (cars), £2,703 (vans), and £4,561 (HGVs/buses). Motorcycles and Disabled Badge holders remain exempt from the tolls.

By comparison, the Humber Bridge, near Hull, is of a similar size to the Severn Crossings, but their tolls were reduced to £1.50 (Category 1), £4 (Category 2) and £12 (Category 3) in 2012, after the government wiped off £150m from its debts.

Similarly, the Dartford Bridge over the River Thames is priced at £2 for cars, £2.50 for vans and £5 for HGVs. They also have a resident's discount scheme where, for a registration fee of £10 a year, locals get 50 free crossings, with subsequent crossings costing just 20p.