Severn Crossing Free After 1,000 Years

[Canary42]

Severn crossing free after 800 years.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46539168

I remember the first time I crossed there (on a touring holiday), on the ferry, they had just started spinning the suspension cables for the first bridge. It was an amazing sight seeing tiny little workers very high up on the pilot cables used for construction, working on the new cables - it all looked very frightening.

The ferry itself was an eye-opener. Having queued down the approach road for some time, we eventually got aboard. It was side loading via a lowered "drawbridge", on to a turntable in the middle which was then turned through 90 degrees (by hand if I recall correctly) to load cars up into the fore and aft areas. Only took about a dozen or so cars.

The second (and subsequent) times I crossed, the bridge was complete - not as exciting although I did once walk across it which was quite an experience.

[Canary42]

Ooops, title error.

[jim360]

It's nice that after 600 years the toll is free -- I for one look forward to celebrating the 500th anniversary celebrations after 250 years of having had to pay.

[Spicerack]

I've been on top of the piers on the old bridge. Great view.
The bridge was free for some time in the 70's (I think).
They doubled the toll (to 50p?) and someone took them to court. Until the case was decided it was toll-free.
That's all from memory and any and all facts could be fake.
Don't write in.

[malagabob]

I remember the ferry. You had to reach it by a narrow country lane Beachly side. Think there was a pub on the Aust side at the ferry landing.

[johnk]

Why did they scrap the toll?

[mushroom25]

ownership of the crossing was vested in severn river crossing plc as part of the deal to build the second bridge. the deal was due to expire in 2010, the time when revenue to build and maintain was believed would have been collected. due to vat/corporation tax changes and the need to install card payment equipment, the amount needed rose and the concession rain until 2017, at which point ownership reverted to the UK government. in 2017 the welsh assembly announced the ending of the tolls from December 2018, as the economic boost this would provide far outweighed the lost revenue from the tolls.