Severn Bridge

Photo of the Severn Bridge: Flickr, Ashley Coates

Tolls on the Severn Bridge between England and Wales would be scrapped if the Liberal Democrats remain in government after next year's general election.

More than 80,000 vehicles use the two crossings each day, with the cost ranging from £6.40 for cars to £19.20 for lorries.

At present, the money is collected by a private company and the funds are used to pay the construction costs of the bridges. But the Lib Dems say their mooted change would be a 'huge boost' for the Welsh economy.

The bridges, located on the M4 Second Severn crossing and the M48, are due to revert to public ownership by 2018, although according to BBC News, the UK government estimates it may take another two years to clear outstanding debts.

The Lib Dems have said that they would scrap the tolls completely, rather than retain a small charge to cover maintenance costs. The party believes the annual cost to the Treasury of paying those costs directly from public funds would be £15 million.

Kirsty Williams, leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said: 'We are the only party that will scrap the unfair Severn Bridge tolls.

'These tolls shouldn't be used as a money-maker by either the Welsh or UK government. Tolls are extremely rare in the UK, so I see no reason why people should be forced to pay to enter Wales.'

Jenny Willott, MP for Cardiff Central and a member of the party's manifesto working group, told BBC News: 'These tolls are a genuine strain on local businesses in my constituency.

'By scrapping the tolls, the Liberal Democrats would be boosting the south Wales economy by around £107m a year.'

The announcement has been met with praise from the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which represents businesses, delivery companies and supermarkets chains, and has long called for the scrapping of the tolls.

Speaking to BBC News, Denise Lovering, chair of FTA's Welsh freight council, said: 'The tolls are a major factor in the lack of regional distribution centres in Wales.

'And when you find out that the cost to some companies is in excess of £500,000 a year, it doesn't take much to understand what a boost to the economy the removal of the tolls would be.'