GWENT Assembly Members from all parties yesterday rejected the idea of charging tolls for a M4 relief road.

We reported that Welsh secretary Peter Hain had floated the idea of a toll road to relieve congestion around Newport.

But the proposal is splitting the Assembly and Westminster - with Welsh transport minister Andrew Davies saying he had not been consulted about the idea.

Now local AMs from Labour, the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats are saying that charging a toll would damage Gwent's economy.

Mr Hain had called on the Assembly government, who controversially shelved the proposed M4 relief road plans last year, to look again at reviving the scheme.

The project would aim to relieve the notorious congestion around the Brynglas Tunnels bottleneck by building a new road between Magor and Castleton.

Newport council say it would have major economic benefits for the whole of south Wales but the Assembly administration shelved the plans over environmental concerns.

When Britain's first toll motorway opened around Birmingham on Tuesday, ministers said it was a one-off before Mr Hain intervened. Mr Hain proposed putting in speed restrictions through the Brynglas Tunnels while allowing motorists to pay for the privilege of travelling on the new road at motorway speeds.

Newport West's Labour AM Rosemary Butler told the Argus: "We desperately need a relief road to end the log jam around Newport. The present situation is damaging the economy in Newport and further west. However, road tolls are bad in principle and especially in this area where we already have the Severn toll."

The Liberal Democrat leader in the Assembly, South East Wales AM Mike German, agreed.

He said: "The idea of people being hit with two tolls as they cross the Severn would badly hinder Gwent's economic development." William Graham, Tory AM for South Wales East and Newport city councillor, said "siren calls" for tolls on the M4 relief road must be resisted.

Mr Graham said: "Westminster must ensure that the National Assembly receives the full funding to undertake this construction project."