Labour urged to scrap ‘hare-brained’ tolls idea for A470 Pontypridd and M4 Newport
Welsh Conservatives have branded the Welsh Government’s hare-brained idea of putting tolls on the M4 and A470 as “utterly ridiculous” and urged them to go back to the drawing board.
The Welsh Government is exploring the idea of charging motorists who drive older cars to use parts of the M4 and A470 in a bid to tackle air pollution.
Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Transport, Natasha Asghar MS, said:
“The idea of having tolls on two of Wales’ busiest roads is utterly ridiculous, and will be a major kick in the teeth for hardworking people.
“Punishing people for driving an older car, probably because they can’t afford a brand new one, is simply unacceptable, and goes to show that this Labour administration is anti-driver and anti-growth.
“Drivers could find themselves in a dire financial situation by being double-taxed as the Welsh Labour Government have plans to introduce a road tax as well as these tolls.
“This is beyond comprehension. Thousands of people have lost their jobs since the pandemic began, and many families are under severe financial pressure.
“I fear tolls will only push drivers to find alternative routes, which will then lead to serious congestion and pollution problems in surrounding towns and villages.
“Labour ministers need to scrap this hare-brained idea now, and look at other projects, such as improving Wales’ shambolic public transport, to help tackle climate change rather than penalising commuters.”
