THE toll prices are due to rise again for the Severn Bridge crossings into Wales.

From 1st January there will be an increase for cars of 10p, an increase of 30p for small goods vehicles and small mini-buses, and an increase of 40p for HGVs and buses.

The tolls are strictly controlled by the British Parliament and currently increase in line with the Retail Prices Index, but the bridges are run by a private company.

Severn Bridge Crossing PLC's concession is forecast to end in 2018 when the company has covered its costs for building the second crossing, and reached its profit margin through takings from the tolls. They need to reach around £996m at 1989 prices before they have made their money back. At the current rate of price hikes, this should take three more years.

The M4 and M48 bridges are used by about 80,000 vehicles every day. This annual increase in tolls has regularly been condemned by local businesses and by those working in Bristol and living in Chepstow.

Sarah Beynon, Chepstow Chamber of Commerce leader, said: "There is no question that bridge tolls affect business in Chepstow. It is hard enough

keeping local shops going as it is.

"Effectively, a third of what should be Chepstow's catchment area for customers is over the bridge and those people will not come to Chepstow to visit the town, spend their money and enjoy our hospitality if they have to pay to cross into Wales.

"It's madness to suggest that the tolls do not affect business in town and any rise in tolls is a blight on local business."

Chepstow's Deputy Town Mayor, Councillor Dale Rooke, said: "The bridge toll is a blight on the development of Wales' economy, not just Chepstow.

"But in Chepstow we feel particularly badly about it especially because the bridge feeds an enormous amount of traffic straight onto the A48."

Chepstow's A48 is blighted by heavy traffic and the consequent air quality issues where the road runs through the town, especially on Hardwick Hill. Last year the plans for a bypass were shelved for another 12 months due to austerity. "There is no money to fund the bypass at the moment but there are also problems in getting two counties to agree on necessary funding and planning, never mind getting the two countries to agree," added Cllr Rooke.

The bypass' 'blue route' is still a possibility in the future with the opening at the end of Bluebell Drive in Thornwell still mooted to be the best point for a new bridge over the Severn, however, this would only alleviate bridge traffic on the A48 through town, not local traffic.