This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-40671900

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Severn tolls abolished by end of 2018, says Alun Cairns Severn tolls abolished by end of 2018, says Alun Cairns
(about 3 hours later)
Tolls on the Severn bridges between Wales and England will be scrapped by the end of next year, the UK government has announced.Tolls on the Severn bridges between Wales and England will be scrapped by the end of next year, the UK government has announced.
Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said the decision would be a major boost to the local economy.Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns said the decision would be a major boost to the local economy.
The fees paid on entry to Wales - currently from £6.70 to £20 a vehicle - have long been a source of contention with motorists and businesses.The fees paid on entry to Wales - currently from £6.70 to £20 a vehicle - have long been a source of contention with motorists and businesses.
About 25 million journeys are made across the two bridges each year.About 25 million journeys are made across the two bridges each year.
A study commissioned by the Welsh Government suggested the removal of tolls would boost the Welsh economy by £100m.A study commissioned by the Welsh Government suggested the removal of tolls would boost the Welsh economy by £100m.
However another report, for UK ministers, predicted just halving the tolls would mean a 17% increase in traffic along the M4 and surrounding areas either side of the crossings.However another report, for UK ministers, predicted just halving the tolls would mean a 17% increase in traffic along the M4 and surrounding areas either side of the crossings.
But it did not indicate the impact on traffic by scrapping the tolls completely.But it did not indicate the impact on traffic by scrapping the tolls completely.
"The decision to abolish the Severn tolls next year sends a powerful message to businesses, commuters and tourists alike that the UK government is committed to strengthening the Welsh economy," Mr Cairns said. Mr Cairns told BBC Radio Wales: "There will be issues around congestion, and I have raised this personally with the first minister on more than one occasion.
"I want to ensure that visitors and investors know what Wales has to offer socially, culturally and economically. "Of course, we are doing all we can to make the money available to the Welsh Government to build a motorway around Newport; that money has been available for more than three years and it has not been spent yet.
"But we understand they are obviously pressing ahead with their inquiry, and we want to see that road built as quickly as possible."
He said Bristol and south Wales would also be "bound together" by improved rail links.
But First Minister Carwyn Jones tweeted: "This is nothing but a desperate attempt by Alun Cairns to distract from yesterday's U-turn on electrification to Swansea."
It was announced on Thursday that plans to electrify the Great Western Railway line between Cardiff and Swansea had been scrapped.
Mr Cairns said the decision to abolish the tolls "sends a powerful message to businesses, commuters and tourists alike that the UK government is committed to strengthening the Welsh economy".
He said: "I want to ensure that visitors and investors know what Wales has to offer socially, culturally and economically.
"Most importantly, I want the world to know how accessible we are to business.""Most importantly, I want the world to know how accessible we are to business."
The move was "right for Wales' future prosperity", he added.The move was "right for Wales' future prosperity", he added.
The two crossings are currently owned and run by a private consortium but will revert to Highways England once the cost of building the second crossing, opened in 1996, is repaid.The two crossings are currently owned and run by a private consortium but will revert to Highways England once the cost of building the second crossing, opened in 1996, is repaid.
Ministers will then scrap the tolls.Ministers will then scrap the tolls.
Abolishing the charges was included in every major party's manifesto in June's general election.Abolishing the charges was included in every major party's manifesto in June's general election.
Prime Minister Theresa May said during the campaign that their removal would significantly reduce the cost of doing business between Wales and England and help support the Union.Prime Minister Theresa May said during the campaign that their removal would significantly reduce the cost of doing business between Wales and England and help support the Union.