The Severn Crossings are now FREE to use for the first time since 1966

For the first time since 1966, it is free to use both the Prince of Wales and original Severn Crossing as fees are abolished by the UK government

Severn Crossing at nightThe M48 Seven Bridge and M4 Prince of Wales Bridge are both now free to use, as tolls are abolished on Monday 17 December for the first time in more than half a century.

The abolition of tolls has been timed to help people make a Christmas getaway into Wales for free, rather than paying a fee to use the Severn Crossings.

Government officials estimate it could save regular commuters as much as £1,400 a year. The Welsh economy will also get a £100 million boost.

“Businesses will also benefit from strengthened links between communities ranging from west Wales to the south west of England by making it easier for consumer and employees to cross the border.”

The fee for crossing the Severn was £5.60 for cars, £11.20 for double-cab pickups and £16.70 for HGVs and coaches. The fee only applied westbound, from England into Wales: the reverse journey was free.

The final person to pay the Severn Crossing toll was Welsh secretary Alun Cairns.

“The end of the tolls is a major limestone for the economies of south Wales and south west of England,” he said, “and will remove historic barriers between communities.

“Delivering this has been one of my key aims as Welsh secretary.

“A week before Christmas, drivers will no longer have to pay every time they cross the border… helping the cost of living and leaving them with more cash to spend in their local areas.”

The original Severn Bridge was opened in 1966 by Queen Elizabeth II. It was listed in 1999. The Second Severn Crossing opened in 1996, and was renamed the Prince of Wales Bridge earlier this year.

Cutting tolls was a manifesto pledge in the Conservatives’ 2017 General Election campaign.

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Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

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