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| Severn tolls: Conservative election pledge to scrap charges | Severn tolls: Conservative election pledge to scrap charges |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Conservatives will scrap the Severn Bridge tolls if they win the general election, Theresa May has said, predicting a £100m economic boost. | The Conservatives will scrap the Severn Bridge tolls if they win the general election, Theresa May has said, predicting a £100m economic boost. |
| The pledge goes further than the existing plan to halve the tolls - currently £6.70 for cars - by 2018. | The pledge goes further than the existing plan to halve the tolls - currently £6.70 for cars - by 2018. |
| The change would "strengthen links" between south Wales and the west of England, the prime minister claimed. | The change would "strengthen links" between south Wales and the west of England, the prime minister claimed. |
| "I want to ensure that our economic progress is shared across the United Kingdom," she said. | "I want to ensure that our economic progress is shared across the United Kingdom," she said. |
| "This will drive economic growth right across the country helping key economic centres in Cardiff, Bath, Bristol and Newport," Mrs May added. | "This will drive economic growth right across the country helping key economic centres in Cardiff, Bath, Bristol and Newport," Mrs May added. |
| "By significantly reducing the cost of doing business between Wales and England, the Conservatives continue to deliver on improving the economic prospects of ordinary working people." | "By significantly reducing the cost of doing business between Wales and England, the Conservatives continue to deliver on improving the economic prospects of ordinary working people." |
| The two crossings will be operated by Highways England when they return to public ownership in 2018. Annual maintenance costs are estimated at around £7m per year. | The two crossings will be operated by Highways England when they return to public ownership in 2018. Annual maintenance costs are estimated at around £7m per year. |
| A Labour Party spokesman said: "We will work with the Welsh Government to scrap the tolls on the Severn Bridge." | A Labour Party spokesman said: "We will work with the Welsh Government to scrap the tolls on the Severn Bridge." |
| Independent AM Mark Reckless, who votes with the Conservatives in the Senedd, reacted via Twitter, saying: "I led the campaign and gained unanimous Assembly support for motion to scrap Severn tolls. Proud the Conservatives are now delivering." |