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Bridge tolls by cards 'likely' Bridge tolls by cards 'likely'
(about 17 hours later)
Motorists are "likely" to be allowed to use credit and debit cards to pay tolls on the Severn Bridges, Wales' transport minister has said.Motorists are "likely" to be allowed to use credit and debit cards to pay tolls on the Severn Bridges, Wales' transport minister has said.
Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told the assembly such payments should come into being later in 2010.Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones told the assembly such payments should come into being later in 2010.
Drivers must currently pay in cash or use an electronic device which is read by a scanner at the toll booths.Drivers must currently pay in cash or use an electronic device which is read by a scanner at the toll booths.
But the Highways Agency say a change in UK legislation needed to enable card payments isn't yet confirmed. But the Highways Agency say a change in UK legislation needed to enable card payments is not yet confirmed.
Mr Jones said: "Credit and debit cards are likely to be used on the bridge in the latter part of this year.Mr Jones said: "Credit and debit cards are likely to be used on the bridge in the latter part of this year.
"I think its an excellent innovation." "I think it's an excellent innovation."
Mr Jones was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat AM Mike German, who also asked for assurance that additional charges would not be made when using bank cards on the bridge.Mr Jones was responding to a question from Liberal Democrat AM Mike German, who also asked for assurance that additional charges would not be made when using bank cards on the bridge.
Credit and debit cards are likely to be used on the bridge in the latter part of this year. Ieuan Wyn Jones Credit and debit cards are likely to be used on the bridge in the latter part of this year Ieuan Wyn Jones
Mr Jones said that was not a devolved matter and would be a decision for the Severn Bridge service providers.Mr Jones said that was not a devolved matter and would be a decision for the Severn Bridge service providers.
A working group has established that credit and debit cards can be accepted in principle.A working group has established that credit and debit cards can be accepted in principle.
It featured representatives from the Highways Agency, the Severn River Crossing (SRC), Welsh Assembly Government and the UK government, and presented its findings to the Highways Agency in October 2008.It featured representatives from the Highways Agency, the Severn River Crossing (SRC), Welsh Assembly Government and the UK government, and presented its findings to the Highways Agency in October 2008.
A working group has established cards can be accepted in principle. A working group has established cards can be accepted in principle
Discussions have since taken place with banks and equipment suppliers.Discussions have since taken place with banks and equipment suppliers.
But before cards can be introduced, UK legislation governing the crossings needs to be amended as it does not allow card payments.But before cards can be introduced, UK legislation governing the crossings needs to be amended as it does not allow card payments.
A Highways Agency spokesperson for Wales said the agency was still waiting for confirmation of that change.A Highways Agency spokesperson for Wales said the agency was still waiting for confirmation of that change.
A spokesperson for the UK Department of Transport confirmed that the necessary change to UK law to enable card payments hasn't yet happened. A spokesperson for the UK Department of Transport confirmed that the necessary change to UK law to enable card payments has not yet happened.
She said: "We've initiated the amendment but its not gone through the process yet." She said: "We've initiated the amendment but it's not gone through the process yet."