IT’S official! Toll charges for the two Severn Crossings will be scrapped by the end of 2018, and revert to public ownership on January 8 to seal the process.

The announcement that the toll charges would be scrapped was made on July 21 by Welsh Secretary Alun Cairns, but the government has now made the decision official.

Both landmarks will officially be revert to public ownership on January 8 to enable the tolls to be scrapped, Transport Minister Jesse Norman confirmed.

Tolls will come to an end on December 31, 2018.

The iconic landmarks, which have served commuters for more than 50 years, are used by more than 25 million vehicles a year.

Tolls have been in place since 1966 when the first bridge was opened, costing drivers the equivalent today of 12.5p.

The promise to end the toll charges is one that has been made repeatedly in recent years, most recently by Prime Minister Theresa May as a manifesto promise shortly before the General Election.

Today, charges levied for westbound traffic come to £6.60 for cars, £13.40 for large vans and minibuses and £20 for buses and lorries.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling added: "Tens of millions of motorists a year will benefit from the end of tolls on the Severn bridges, saving them money and cutting journey times.

"People who use the crossing every day will save a minimum of £115 a month.

"Abolishing the crossing fee will also drive economic growth for businesses in Wales and the South West and further strengthen the bond between our two great countries."