THE UK government needs to secure a better deal for the Severn bridges when they return to public ownership in 2018, according to Newport East MP Jessica Morden.

Ms Morden was speaking during the Severn Bridge summit at Westminster today, having organised the event alongside the Freight Transport Association,

The Newport East MP said she welcomed the UK government’s decision to halve the tolls but said there was scope for further reductions, given the bridges’ annual income of nearly £100 million.

There were also renewed calls for discussion of modernising payment methods on the bridges, with campaigners pointing out the potential benefits of a ‘free flow’ system to the UK transport minister, Andrew Jones.

Speaking after the event, the Newport East MP said it was a “fantastic opportunity” to hear from some of the bridges’ biggest users and from trade unions.

She said: “I was pleased to speak out for local people in Newport East and surrounding areas hit hard by congestion.

“For many years we have known that the bridges are costly to people, to businesses and to the Welsh and local economies.

“As the bridges are due to return to public ownership in 2018, this is a particularly crucial time for us all to shape what the Severn Bridges will look like under public ownership.”

Ms Morden says a consultation on the bridges will take place in the autumn, ahead of the tolls’ drop to £3.30 for cars, £6.60 for vans and £9.90 for lorries from 2018.

She added: “We had a great discussion today with the transport minister, Andrew Jones, but I know that this is just the beginning and we will have to continue to pursue this issue to make sure the bridges work for everyone in the future.

“The minister announced a consultation will take place this autumn and I would urge everybody to get involved and have their say.”