Cleddau Bridge toll to feature on Welsh Assembly agenda

9:40am Thursday 19th July 2007

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CLEDDAU Bridge tolls will be high on the agenda when the Welsh Assembly meets with Pembrokeshire County Council later this year, the Mercury can reveal.

This was confirmed through correspondence, passed to the paper, between MP Nick Ainger and AM Brian Gibbons.

Responding to Nick Ainger's questions about the financial status of the bridge Mr Gibbons said the Welsh Assembly would be considering adopting the bridge as part of their trunk road programme.

Referring to proposals from the 2002 Welsh Assembly consultation Mr Gibbons letter said: "One of the conclusions was that the A477 from Pembroke Dock across the Cleddau Bridge to Johnston on the A4076 north of Milford Haven should be trunked.

"As part of the above proposals, consideration would be given to the adoption of the Cleddau Bridge by the Welsh Assembly Government.

"Preliminary discussions will be held with Pembrokeshire County Council later this year."

At a county council meeting last week, cabinet member for environment and transportation Jamie Adams told fellow councillors that the tolls could shoot up if the management of the Cleddau Bridge was passed to the Welsh Assembly.

He went on to say that if the council retained management of the bridge, but removed tolls, a hefty rise in council tax would be necessary.

These comments were in responses to questions from councillors Rhys Sinnett, Mike Stoddart and Sue Perkins.

Cllr Adams went on to say that the best way to ensure tolls are not increased is for the bridge to remain in the county council hands as the Welsh Assembly had not stated any intention to abolish tolls.