Cleddau Bridge tolls will end this month.
From 1 April, motorists will be able to drive over the Milford Haven estuary for the first time since it was opened to traffic – 44 years ago almost to the day – without being subjected to a cost.
The structure spans the deep estuary which divides Pembrokeshire into two parts. Built to provide a 24-hour solution to the vehicular ferry traditionally used to connect the Pembroke Dock and Neyland, the first car used the new bridge on 20 March 1974.
In 2018 the Welsh Government announced it would be scrapping the tolls on the Cleddau Bridge as part of the two-year budget deal the Welsh Government negotiated with Plaid Cymru to increase economic attaction and better connect people, communities and businesses with jobs, markets and facilities. Toll collection staff will be deployed or made redundant.
Now in a letter to Pembrokeshire Council, the Economy Secretary has offered £3m per annum to cover the loss of revenue – to be reviewed in 20 years, plus a one-off payment to cover the removal of the toll infrastructure and to cover costs.