This comes a year after the Prince of Wales Bridge and the original Severn Crossing were returned to public ownership.

It is thought that the move will boost the Welsh economy and could save regular commuters £1400 per year. But there is also concern that lifting the tolls may have a negative impact on congestion on both the M4 and M48.

“Removing the tolls will be a tremendous boost to businesses who use these major routes,” commented Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett.

“However, the increase in traffic will inevitably put more of a strain on the road network. If the infrastructure can’t cope then the benefits will be offset by the increase in congestion.”

Planning consultant Turley director Huw Jones described the waiving of tolls on the crossings as “a first step that needs to be supported by a range of other measures".

“We would like to see progress on a number of fronts”, he said, including delivering the M4 relief road around Newport, electrification of the Swansea to London railway line and road improvements in the west of England on the M4 and M5.

“Without a clear vision and an appetite to invest in infrastructure, our region won’t capture the opportunity to drive growth.”

Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “The end of the tolls is a major milestone for the economies of south Wales and south west England, and will remove historic barriers between communities.”

 Responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the bridges is now with Highways England.

Photograph: EVO GT: www.flickr.com/photos/evo_gt/

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