Scrapping toll charges on the Severn Bridge will save Bristol businesses thousands of pounds in transport costs – and accelerate collaboration with Cardiff, Newport, and the wider South Wales region.
That’s according to Paul Matthews, Head of Bruton Knowles’ Bristol office, who has worked with colleagues in the firm’s Cardiff office on a ‘shared vision’ for greater cross-Severn connectivity.
Welcoming the news that tolls are to be scrapped next year, Paul Matthews said the two cities should work more closely together to create a powerful regional bloc capable of challenging London, the South East and the Northern Powerhouse.
He said: “Civic leaders and industry chiefs on both sides of the bridge share a vision of closer cooperation – and scrapping the tolls 12 months earlier than we expected is great news for businesses anxious about the fallout from leaving the EU.
“Scrapping tolls gives businesses an uninterrupted route into markets old and new while Bristol workers will be able to extend their search for a new home into places like Chepstow, Caldicot and Magor.
“Toll charges have always been one of the biggest obstacles to greater cooperation between businesses either side of the bridge and we believe improved infrastructure is key to the area’s economic viability.
“Whilst the economic benefits will be considerable, Wales really does need to be in a position to deal with the anticipated increase in traffic flows in particular sort out the Brynglas tunnel issue once and for all.
“We will now be regarding the bridge – and the greater devolved powers it represents for the regional as a whole – as a shared opportunity to work to each other’s strengths.”