Severn toll 'likely to impact commercial vehicle operators'
Posted by Ben Brown
The Welsh Assembly government lacks a full awareness of the extent to which commercial vehicle operators costs are being affected by the rate of tolls on the Severn Bridge.
That is according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA), which has reported seeing dozens of companies doing business in Wales struggling with mounting bills as a direct result of being forced to pay to cross the Severn.
Not only are the rates on the Severn the highest on any UK bridge, but plans are in place to put them up again in January, prompting the FTA to call on the Welsh assembly government to intervene and help prevent commercial vehicle operators' costs from spiralling.
"The deputy first minister has clearly failed to listen to industry, which is suffering under the weight of this toll," the FTA's policy manager for Wales, Ian Gallagher argued.
"We are very disappointed that the disproportionate cost burden imposed on companies doing business in Wales is not on the assembly government's political radar, more so at this time of recession."
At present, smaller commercial vehicles are required to pay £10.90 to cross the Severn Bridge in a westerly direction, while the toll for larger goods vehicles stands at £16.30. 
