SIR,
The Welsh Conservatives have made some interesting proposals recently as regards the Severn Bridge tolls.
They propose a freeze on tolls for cars, maintaining the toll at £5.70 for the next four years.
They don't seem to have thought about goods vehicles, which have to pay the much higher charge of £11.50 or £17.20.
Freezing tolls at this level is neither here nor there; £5.70 is already too much for anyone who has to cross the bridges regularly and means that you can only afford to look for work the other side of the bridge if you earn a decent salary.
It does nothing to address the problem for businesses, which have to pay the far higher rate to transport goods or passengers across the bridges.
What is needed is a much longer term look at the issue and this is what Liberal Democrats have been fighting for over many years.
Abolishing tolls completely as soon as the bridge is back in public ownership would be great, but at the very least we want to see a more affordable rate for all regular bridge users.
Back to the drawing board please, Conservatives.
Janet Ellard
(Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate for Monmouthshire)