THE announcement that tolls on the two Severn bridges will drop for the first time ever in January has been widely welcomed.

The UK Government has already said it will scrap the charges entirely by the end of next year, and today, Friday, Welsh secretary Alun Cairns announced the tolls would also fall by up to £3.30 when the bridges pass back into public ownership on Monday, January 8.

Among those to welcome the news was South Wales East AM Mohammad Asghar.

The Conservative AM said: "For many years toll on both Severn crossings have been seen as an economic and symbolic barriers to Wales’s future prosperity.

“The decision to reduce tolls, before abolishing them altogether, will cut costs for businesses, commuters and tourists alike. It will help to boost jobs and trade in Wales and across the South West of England.

“This is yet another strong indicator that Wales is open for business and of the UK Conservative Government’s commitment to making the right decisions for Wales.”

But Newport West MP Paul Flynn was less enthusiastic, writing on Twitter: "Every penny of Severn Bridges toll after obligation ends in January 2018 should by named as the CAIRNS TAX."

Speaking this morning Mr Cairns said the plan "sends the right message that Wales is open for business, and also brings the UK closer together.

He added he was particularly keen to strengthen relationships between south Wales and Bristol.

"Bristol is the most prosperous city in England outside London and I am keen Newport and Cardiff benefit from that," he said.

Charges for cars will drop to £5.60 while small buses and vans will pay £11.20 and tolls for lorries and coaches will decrease to £16.70.

The date the tolls will be scrapped entirely is yet to be announced.