Lords debate huge Severn toll rise
Page 7
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Legislation proposing massive increases in truck tolls on the Severn Bridge will be considered by the House of Lords over the next few weeks.
Hauliers are furious at plans for a 75% hike in bridge tolls next spring when an AngloFrench consortium takes control of the bridge.
If the legislation is approved truck operators will have to pay £7 for a return journey instead of £4 based on 1989 prices. Fees for light van users will more than double to £4.
Peter Lane Transport, which operates about 150 trucks, thinks it is "disgusting" that tolls will be increased on the bridge, which suffers regular traffic jams.
"The rise will be above inflation, so it will be in itself
inflationary," says Tony Hammond, PLT's transport operations director.
The Bristol-based operator has about 12 trucks using the bridge daily. Although it claims the tolls back against tax, Hammond says that it still has to hand out cash that it will not get back for at least 30 days.
Powys-based Roberts Transport reckons that for many operators it could "mean the final nail in the coffin". Roberts' managing director says that the increase would mean truck toll prices have increased by more than 300% in four years.
Roger Edwards, transport manager of the Newport branch of A One Transport, says: "We wouldn't have half of the traffic problems on the bridge if there were no toll booths."