Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has challenged the Welsh Government over its proposed road tax emphasising the “devastating impact” it would have on people living in Conwy and Denbighshire.

The Welsh Government is considering consolidating existing legislation that allows traffic authorities to place tolls on the roads they manage.  They argue that tolls might encourage motorists to take alternative routes or use public transport, decreasing localised air pollution. 

Darren is concerned that many of the roads earmarked for the charges, including the A55, A494 and A5, are vital transport corridors across North Wales, with alternative routes not always being readily available, and last week called for the plans to be scrapped.

Raising the matter in the Welsh Parliament this week, he called for a statement from the Minister for Economy and Transport in relation to the impact of the proposals.

He said:

“You'll be aware, Trefnydd, that that Welsh Government recently published a White Paper that included proposals that could allow the introduction of road pricing on Welsh trunk roads.

“A new tax like this would absolutely devastating for people living in my constituency, who use trunk roads to get to and from work and places of education, and, it would also be devastating for the tourism industry, which is absolutely dependent on the A5, the A55 and A494.

“I think it is absolutely imperative that we don't do anything to further undermine our economy given the pandmic, and I can't think of anything worse than introducing road pricing in Wales at a time like this.”

Register your opposition to the Welsh Labour-led Government’s new tax on drivers by clicking here: https://action.conservatives.wales/scrap-the-drivers-tax/