Simon Thomas, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, and Plaid Cymru’s candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has had further positive reassurances by the Minister for Transport and the Economy about the possible scrapping of the toll across the Cleddau Bridge.

He has been lobbying Edwina Hart AM, and has previously gained a positive response with regards to trunking the road which could lead to the Welsh Government paying the £2.4million remaining debt, which would cease the need for a toll.

On Wednesday, during a debate at the National Assembly for Wales, Simon raised the subject again, asking for further clarification by the minister, saying:“When the trunking takes place, as is outlined in your transport plan, would it be the intention of the Welsh Government to get rid of the tolls?”

In her response, the Minister promised to ‘look at the wider issues during the next few months’.

Simon Thomas later said that the answer by the minister, although vague, was welcome.

“In her response, the Minister admitted that the toll caused a nuisance for many sections of the community in Pembrokeshire. I’m glad that she noted this, but it is more than a nuisance. The financial burden of the toll is a tax on local people, a tax on local business and a tax on our communities.

“The Cleddau Bridge toll should go, and can go. I will continue fighting for this cause, putting pressure on the current Government, and sticking up for the people of Pembrokeshire.”