The £8m Severn Bridge which was built nearly 58 years ago is now free to cross – after a hated toll was finally dropped in 2018. Tolls on the Severn Bridge were removed in 2018 after being there for 50 years.
It came much to the delight of those who commuted across the border, and to others who made the journey regularly. The 0.285 mile bridge provides a direct link for the M4 motorway into Wales, with the late Queen Elizabeth II opening it in September 1966.
It began its construction in December 1962 with the last 130-tonne section of the Severn Bridge road deck hoisted into position in July 1966. In total the Severn Bridge took three and a half years to build and replaced the 137-year-old Aust Ferry service.
It had operated across the River Severn between Aust and Beachley, both in Gloucestershire until the new bridge was secured in place. It was granted Grade I listed status in 1999.
For nearly six years commuters across the country have made hefty savings as the daily £5.60 charge was scrapped in December in 2018, the week before Christmas. It could cost up to £16.70 a day to use for motorists that drive lorries.
At the time the UK Government, which was responsible for the tolls, said it hoped scrapping them would make it easier to travel between the two countries, boosting business, enhancing investment, increasing tourism and creating jobs.
Then Prime Minister Theresa May said scrapping the tolls would help “drive further economic benefits”.
She said: “Toll free, free flow journeys between both communities will drive further economic benefits to all areas surrounding the crossings and the key economic centres in Cardiff, Bath, Bristol, Newport and across to Swansea and West Wales.”
However, Monmouthshire County Council, which the bridge sits in, now floated the idea of bringing the toll charge back last year.
It made its case by saying a return of the tolls would “reduce journeys to and from Bristol by private car and subsequently would reduce traffic on the M4 and the M48”.
But Monmouthshire council council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby said the council has no intention of bringing back the bridge tolls.
The Labour councillor said: “It’s not something we are doing nor are we considering doing it and we do not intend lobbying for it.
“It is not part of the plan. We will look at feedback from the consultation, the council’s scrutiny committee and the transport forum and review and revise the strategy in light of that.”
