TOLLS for crossing the Severn bridges will be cut following an announcement made in the 2015 Budget yesterday.

Currently it costs £6.50 for a standard car and £13.10 for smaller goods vehicles, including vans, but from 2018 these will be reduced, with the higher rate for small vans and buses being abolished.

The cuts were described by Chancellor George Osborne as “a boost for the drivers of white vans”.

Thornbury and Yate MP Steve Webb welcomed the cuts but said he will not stop campaigning until they are abolished.

He said: “I am pleased that the Chancellor has responded positively to our campaign and that tolls will be cut from 2018.  This is a welcome step in the right direction.  

"But it remains the case that once the construction costs have been repaid, there is no justification for an ongoing toll which continues to bear heavily on local people who travel over the bridge for work or leisure.  We will therefore be keeping up our campaign until the tolls are completely abolished”

Also announced was a new rail franchise for the South West which will “bring new intercity express trains and greatly improved rail services”, according to the Chancellor.

The new franchise was revealed as he outlined plans to improve transport links in the South West ‘with over £7 billion of transport investment, better roads and support for air links”.