When was the Severn Bridge toll scrapped and how long as there been a toll on the river crossing?

MOTORISTS can now enjoy toll-free journeys between South Wales and southern England.

This is because the Severn Bridge toll charges have finally been scrapped after 52 years.

When was the Severn Bridge toll scrapped?

Travellers can now cross the Severn Estuary for free.

The toll charges were scrapped on Monday, December 17 2018.

The toll scrappage will see people enjoying free journeys on the M48 Severn Bridge and the M4 Prince of Wales Bridge crossings for the first time in 52 years.

Why has the toll been scrapped?

The Severn Crossings are used by more than 25 million vehicles each year.

The tolls have been removed as they have been seen as an economic and symbolic barrier to Wales’ future prosperity, according to a government announcement.

How long was the Severn Estuary a toll-charged river crossing?

Charges on the original Severn Crossing began in 1966, when the fee stood at two shillings and sixpence - the equivalent of 12.5p in decimal currency today.

They were then introduced on the second crossing (known as the Prince of Wales bridge since April 2018) when it opened three decades later in 1996.

In recent years, motorists have been forced to pay £5.60 to drive their cars westbound from England into South Wales – HGVs were charged £16.70.

The toll was chargeable in both directions, but was reduced to just westbound in the early 1990s, with an option to pay by card introduced in 2010.

The toll was collected on the English side of the border, and was often described as a “tax on entering Wales”.

The scrapping of toll-charges will see regular commuters more than £1,400 a year.

The abolition comes as thousands of people are expected to make their journeys home for the festive period.