FOREST and Wye Valley motorists who use the Severn Bridges could see the cash they hand over used to fund infrastructure projects all over Wales.

Conservatives in the Welsh Assembly have launched plans to consult on what to do with tolls income when the two bridges come back into public ownership.

The options include retaining the current toll structure and using the money to pay for infrastructure projects across Wales.

Also up for discussion is the introduction of a lower, flat rate toll that would cover just the cost of maintenance or reducing the toll and using the money for both maintenance and infrastructure.

The plans were announced by shadow Welsh transport minister Byron Davies AM on a visit to a transport company in Newport.

The consultation has been backed by Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay who is also the shadow minister for business.

He said: "Devolving the crossings has huge potential for all of us and continued discussion of the toll structure is now vitally important."

The Conservatives say each option is designed to promote debate on future use of the tolls should responsibility for the bridges be given to the Welsh Assembly when the crossings revert to public ownership sometime after 2017.

Mr Davies said: "The Severn Crossings are a hugely significant economic lever that I believe should rest firmly in the hands of the Welsh people.

"Devolution of the crossings – and future use of the tolls – has the real potential to help hard-pressed motorists, provide significant investment in Welsh infrastructure and encourage economic growth.

"The bridges are symbolically regarded as the gateway to Wales and – as our political landscape matures – the time is now right to take discussion on their devolution much further.

"Finding the right balance between bridge maintenance, infrastructure investment and motorist support is a critical factor. With this in mind, we are inviting views and opinions on three options for the toll structure following devolution.

"This is a vitally important debate for the future of the Severn Crossings and I want to see as many organisations and motorists involved as possible."