Reduction in Severn Crossing tolls cautiously welcomed by FTA membership


The Freight Transport Association (FTA), the


trade


organisation which represents the transport interests of companies moving goods by road, rail, sea and air, has welcomed the announcement from the Department for Transport that tolls payable at the Severn Crossing are to be reduced. The reductions, which are


to be


introduced in 2018, are intended to


save drivers and businesses


money, and thus help to boost the economy.


the tolls altogether However, the Freight


Transport Association which has lobbied government hard to either remove


or


introduce a maintenance cost only, is disappointed that the Consultation does not go further. Commenting on the announcement, Ian Gallagher of the Freight Transport Association said: “While the reductions are welcome, the Government had a real opportunity to provide a boost to the Welsh economy by scrapping the £63 million debt and introducing lower charges.


Realistically, the


FTA is keen to see out of hours travel permitted free of charge, as well as incentivisation for the take up of the TAG system.”


The lowered fees will be applicable


Monmouth Rotary Club renew support for St David’s Hospice Care


to drivers paying by cash or by the electronic TAG system, who are the most regular users of the crossing. However, benefits for fleet operators using the TAG will only apply after 20 crossings:


The Consultation also looks at the introduction of Free Flow technology across both East and West routes: “We welcome the commitment to halve the tolls again if charging is introduced


Gallagher. “At a time of continuing economic


businesses are already facing increased


pressure


both ways,” said uncertainty, when on turnover


thanks to changes in currency values, these reductions are, on the whole, very welcome indeed. However, the Association will continue to lobby for further reductions and incentives for hard pressed operators.


The


Severn Crossing is a vital artery linking Wales with England and trading


routes on into Europe,


and these savings will ensure that businesses on both sides of the Severn can continue to trade at the most competitive rates with their customers.” To find out more about the work of the Freight Transport Association, and membership benefits, please visit www.fta.co.uk.


Craft work: Rafts on the River Wye during last year’s race, raft 149, Carry on St Anne’s, of St Anne’s Hospice and St David’s Hospice Care and raft 143, Trojan Horse, a private entry


Monmouth Rotary Club


will once more raise funds for St David’s Hospice Care through its staging of the 52nd Monmouth Raft Race. The organisers, who have staged the annual


River


Wye Raft race for the past 15 years, are now looking for sponsors to support the annual event in 2017. Monmouth


Raft Race


will be staged on Sunday, September 3, this year with St David’s Hospice Care as the principal beneficiary.


The annual event sees


teams of four or more build rafts and then paddle them 6.5 miles down the River Wye from the rowing club steps at


Monmouth Rotary to


Whitebrook. The 2017 Monmouth Raft Race, organised by Monmouth


Club,


will take place on Sunday, September 3, starting from Monmouth Rowing Club and ending at Tump Farm, Whitebrook. Entry costs £75 per raft


including a commitment to


raise a minimum of


£100 in sponsorship. Early bird entrants, who sign up before June 1st, pay just £50. For full details about the 2017 Monmouth Raft Race, including online or postal entries, please visit www.monmouthraftrace. com or call Monmouth Raft Race


secretary, Rotarian


David Forbes on 01600 712665 or Kris Broome at St David’s Hospice Care on 01633 851051.


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© British Heart Foundation, registered charity in England and Wales (225971) and in Scotland (SC039426). www.cardiffandsouthwalesadvertiser.com Cardiff & South Wales Advertiser – Friday 20th January 2017 - 7


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