SEVERN Bridge tolls should not be used to finance an M4 relief road for Newport, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) said.

The group said the Severn Bridges have already been paid for and that to ask road users to finance additional projects is fundamentally unfair.

In yesterday’s Argus we reported that Welsh finance minister Jane Hutt told MPs outstanding income from tolls from Welsh-government run Severn Crossings could be used to fund improvements to the M4.

She confirmed the possible plan to MPs on the Welsh Affairs Committee, who were taking evidence as part of their inquiry into the future of the Severn Bridges.

The Minister said the Welsh Government would want to gain control of the two bridges in 2018, when it is anticipated they will revert to public ownership. However, the tolls could remain in place to cover maintenance and provide the government with revenue.

Ian Gallagher, FTA’s Head of Policy for Wales, said: "FTA welcomes the suggestion by the minister that there could be a reduction in tolls for essential users such as lorries, however as the bridges would have been paid for by users they shouldn’t be asked to finance additional infrastructure which really should be funded by government. FTA members pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in tolls and normally this comes directly off the bottom line."

Responding to the minister’s comments about the bridges providing revenue, Mr Gallagher added: "It is an interesting argument - the government must answer the question, at what level can a toll be set so that it benefits users and provides a meaningful revenue stream?"

The Freight Transport Association represents companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air. Members operate over 220,000 goods vehicles - almost half the UK fleet.