The Welsh secretary, Alun Cairns, said the move would boost the economy of south Wales by around £100m a year. Over the past 50 years, motorists have paid tolls on the crossings between the south-west of England and south Wales, which stand at £6.70 for cars and £20 for lorries. Severn Crossings plc was given the right to collect payments for 25 years as part of deal to build a second crossing in 1992. Cairns, who announced the decision to business leaders in Newport, said: “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. Its president, Edmund King, said: “All drivers in Wales and the rest of the UK should rejoice at this news.

Source: The Guardian July 20, 2017 23:01 UTC