Cards on Severn Crossings - Success at Last | "Even if we have to wait another year"

12.00.00am GMT Fri 13th Nov 2009

Michael German with 'Ditch Cash Only Tolls' campaigner Veronica Watkins at the Rogiet Toll Plaza

· Ten years to finally introduce card payments

· Highways Agency accused of 'dragging its feet'

· Bridge Operators blocked from accepting card payments

· "Extend payment options to embrace the internet age"

Scrapping 'cash-only' rule for paying for tolls on the Severn Crossings took a step nearer today. The UK Government means that debit and credit cards could be accepted for payment in late 2010. Michael German, local Welsh Liberal Democrat Assembly Member, and a long term campaigner to introduce cards for payment welcomed the news.

Mr. German has had meetings with the bridge operators, Severn River Crossing plc, and over the years lobbied UK Government Ministers, frequently raising the issue in the National Assembly for Wales and handed in a massive petition for cards to be used.

Currently, bridge users must use cash to pay for tolls or pay by an electronic tag. Legislation forbids payment by any other means. "This rule is a relic of yesteryear", said Mr. German. "Technology has moved on leaps and bounds since the bridges were built. People are able to pay for tolls on the M6 around Birmingham by card and also London Congestion Charge by a huge variety of means. The Severn crossings have got to catch up. They must serve their customers."

Mr German added, "The Highways Agency, who look after motorways and trunk roads in England and represent the UK Government on the management of the bridges has been 'dragging its feet' on the issue."

Discussions started in 2000 to introduce card payments. "It has taken a ten year campaign to get cards accepted for payment. There has been delay after delay for no real reason. In the meantime other toll roads and bridges have been built and accepted payments not just card payments but other electronic means like mobile phones and over the internet."

Mr. German called upon the bridge operators to make a 'quantum leap' and embrace the internet age and not just rest by accepting card payments.

He added that the sorry history of delays in introducing card payments must had frustrated the bridge operators. "They have supported this change throughout all the time but were prevented and blocked."

He said, "All that has been required is for the UK Secretary of State for Transport to change the regulations that govern cash and non-cash methods for paying tolls has. This did not need to take up much government time.

"Meanwhile travellers have been badly served with many cashless motorists turned back for crossing the bridges for the want of a few pounds."