A CAMPAIGN to scrap the Severn Bridge tolls was launched by local MP Steve Webb on Saturday (8 November).

Led by the Thornbury and Yate MP and the local Liberal Democrats, the ‘No More Tolls’ campaign is calling for charges to be removed from both crossings once their construction costs have been paid off and the bridges return to public ownership in 2018.

More than 68,000 vehicles use the two crossings each day, paying varying tolls from £6.40 for cars to £19.20 for lorries.

Speaking to crowds at M48 Aust services, Mr Webb said it was unfair for local people who already pay for the maintenance of the highway network through their taxes, to go on paying for the routine maintenance of the bridges.

He said: “We have always known that the tolls would be needed to pay for the construction of the two bridges. But once the bills are paid, there is no longer any need for a separate maintenance charge for the bridges.”

An online petition calling for the tolls to be scrapped attracted over 1,000 signatures within a week, with support coming from both sides of the bridge.

Mr Webb added: “We have had a huge positive response to this campaign with people keen to see the tolls scrapped to make it easier for people who live and work on different sides of the bridge, or for those who have family and friends on each side of the Severn.

“Scrapping the tolls would be good for local businesses and the local economy and we will be stepping up our campaign in the coming months to get the tolls ended.”

For more information on the campaign visit http://nomoretolls-ldthornburyandyate.nationbuilder.com