SEVERN Bridge tolls are "completely disproportionate" to similar charges in other parts of the country and need to come down to "a more acceptable level", it has been claimed.

Monmouthshire Council has added its voice to those demanding action on tolls when the bridge reverts to public ownership in around five years.

The company that owns the bridges, Severn River Crossing, has no control over tolls with the charge set by the 1992 Severn Bridges Act.

The council backed a resolution from Councillor Graham Down of Shirenewton "deploring" a statement from UK Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin that tolls on the two bridges were unlikely to fall when they return to public ownership.

Councillors agreed to work with others including the Welsh Government to demand that the tolls are reduced to "a more acceptable level" as soon as possible.

Councillor Down, a regular user of the bridge, said: "The cost of tolls on the Severn crossings is completely disproportionate to other estuarial crossings.

"The tolls cause hardship for our constituents, particularly youngsters looking for their first job in Bristol."

Tolls on the Dartford Crossing linking Kent and Essex is £2 for cars compared with £6.20 on the Severn Bridges.

Residents of the Dartford and Thurrock council areas can get 50 free crossings before a 20p charge starts for an annual fee of £10.

Car drivers crossing the Humber Bridge between Yorkshire and Lincolnshire pay £1.50 while the Mersey Tunnel in Liverpool costs £1.50.

The Skye Bridge, which is owned by the Scottish government, is free for all users.

Councillor Dimitri Batrouni, who represents the St Christopher's ward in Bulwark, said people were being "penalised" by transport costs.

"Transport costs are penalising people who are working hard and Monmouthshire County Council should be standing with them."

There were calls for the council to campaign for the abolition of tolls but the Cabinet member with responsibility for economic development, Councillor Bob Greenland, said he would not be in favour.

He said: "I would not support the removal of tolls. If they were removed, and given the cost of maintenance there would come a point where there would be considerable pressure to close the original bridge."