TOLLS to cross the Severn Bridge and the Second Severn Crossing will rise again in the new year.

From 1st January the toll for cars and motor caravans will rise from £6.60 to £6.70, while the cost for small goods vehicles and small buses will rise from £13.20 to £13.40, and heavy goods vehicles and buses will rise by 20p from £19.80 to £20.

A spokesperson from Severn River Crossing PLC said the prices are raised each year in line with inflation. “The tolls are amended at the start of each year in accordance with the Severn Bridges Act 1992,” they said.

“They are agreed with the Department for Transport and confirmed by a Parliamentary Order made by the Secretary of State for Transport during the prior December.”

Former chancellor George Osbourne pledged in March to halve the tolls when the Severn river crossings comes into public ownership, which is estimated to be between October 2017 and February 2018. There have since been discussions about the possibility of a free-flowing system which would charge users a smaller toll in both directions.

A Government spokesperson said last month: “The UK government will launch its consultation on halving the tolls at the Severn Bridge shortly. This would be a positive move for all motorists and demonstrate Wales is open for business.”