Severn Crossing Toll

Written Evidence from South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium

Despite extensive research as part of developing the Regional Transport Plan for South West Wales (2010-2015), the South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (SWWITCH) does not have any hard evidence about the impact of the Severn Crossing tolls on the region.

Stakeholders, particularly those representing the logistics industry, provided anecdotal evidence on the impact on businesses, and there was speculation about the impact on inward investment, but SWWITCH has no quantitative or qualitative evidence which will support your current inquiry.

However, I have been asked as SWWITCH Lead Chief Officer to highlight the issue of the future of tolls (after the bridge returns to public ownership) and the need for a transparent mechanism which clearly links any toll rises to an appropriate index. This will ensure that current and future investors in the region will have confidence about their operational costs and that individuals will not be unfairly penalised for working or making leisure journeys into and out of Wales.

September 2010