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VAT cuts passed on to Severn bridge motorists

RECENT VAT reductions will be passed on to motorists using the Severn Bridges.

In November, the Argus reported that Severn River Crossing PLC (SRC) was only “considering” passing on VAT cut, which fell from 17.5 per cent to 15 per cent.

Yesterday, the Highways Agency announced that the 2.5 per cent reduction would be passed on motorists using the bridge.

Jim Clune, SRC general manager, said: “We know that the Highways Agency and the Department of Transport were working very hard to ensure this happened, but the only way that the tolls can be changed is by an order from the minister. As a company, we don’t have the power to change them.

“We had a lot of concerned people contacting us about not passing on the cuts. It’s taken a few weeks, but the Highways Agency has now secured an order from the minister.”

Cars currently pay £5.30 to cross the border.

If the cut had not been passed on, car drivers would have paid £5.50 from January 1, but now they will pay £5.40.

South Wales East AM Mike German was among those who called for the charges to be reduced. He welcomed the announcement, but is still calling for UK transport ministers to freeze the tolls to help the Welsh economy.

Mr German said: “This is good news for the thousands of people who cross the bridge every day. We are experiencing difficult economic times and any reduction in the crossing tariff is to be welcomed.

“Freezing the tolls would be a goodwill gesture to Wales, and a boost to the whole Severnside economy. In the long term, I would like to see the tolls scrapped. Those of us who use the bridges have already paid more than £700m in tolls.

"It only cost £300m to build the second crossing.”

The new tolls will be active from January 1.

The prices will be: car £5.40; small goods vehicles less than 3,500kg £10.90; HGV more than 3,500kg £16.30


Your Say YourFree Press

edger, Newport says...
20/12/08

Having to pay any tolls with the amount of taxes the Government already takes from road users is itself robbery, but the amount extracted from Welsh business's using the Severn Crossing should be taken seriously by the Welsh Assembly.
I operate 2 small vans which travel the country daily paying tolls which vary from:-
Humber Bridge £2.70
Dartford Crossing £1.90
Forth Bridge FREE
Erskine Bridge £1.00

Severn Bridge £10.60!!!!

Come on Welsh Politicians, It is just not fair!

The Rabbit, newport says...
21/12/08

Love to know where all this money goes. Isn’t it about time our WELSH ASSEMBLY took up this case?

A charge yes but this is EXTORTION how much profit are this lot making out of us every year anyway?? And all cash??

How about some of our overpaid A.M.s taking up this cause for the welsh people. Let US negotiate with the bridge owners not the London government and drive these prices down to a sensible level.

Good job we haven’t got oil or they’d have invaded us by now.


The Rabbit
(with his Knickers in a twist).

Stonebridge, says...
21/12/08

We haven't got oil but we do have coal. Expect an invasion quite soon.

Salem, Blackwood says...
22/12/08

There is no option for them not to pass this reduction in VAT on as it is a Goverment Tax and they are legaly obliged to charge the current correct amount

Lynn, Lanandagswork@aol.com says...
23/12/08

Rabbit - England and Wales have the same Labour Government but with different names. The Severn Bridge’s are owned by the French –There should be a campaign by Wales and England Labour Party/EU to force the French owners to reduce the Severn Bridge’s toll fee. Yes everyone agrees that the bridge toll fees should be reduced to £1 per vehicle to maintain the Severn Bridge’s and NOT line people’s pockets!