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Hauliers have slammed the government for having no cohesive policy when it comes to toll charges for bridges, after the Humber crossing received a maintainence grant that will see it freeze prices into 2011.

Last week, the Department for Transport (DfT) awarded the Humber Bridge Board £6m to help prevent corrosion on the bridge's suspension cables. The funding will see tolls maintained at the same level for at least another 18 months.

The move  has angered hauliers in South Wales, who last year were on the receiving end of inflation-busting toll rises that failed to take into account the subsequent reduction in VAT.

Following pressure from Commercial Motor, a new rate of £16.30 was agreed for all HGVs ('Severn Bridge truck toll increase is slashed', CM 8 January),

However, charges to use the Humber Bridge have already been frozen for the past three years, with two, three, and four-axle HGVs paying £10.90, £14.60 and £18.30 respectively.

Transport minister Sadiq Khan says the government invested the money because it is "committed to doing everything it can to protect communities and businesses from the economic downturn".

But Ian Jarman, environmental and legislation manager at Owens Road Services, based in Llanelli, south Wales, says there is "no cohesion" in  government policy with regards to regional stimulus during "the toughest recession the UK has seen in many years."

"We believe the Severn Bridge tolls are set too high for commercial vehicles, and that they should be lowered accordingly," he insists. "This toll is a direct tax on the South Wales economy, and this may distract potential new business investing in the area."

Robert Wilcox, managing director at Massey Wilcox Transport, near Bristol, adds: "All we are asking for is fairness, and it would be a big help for us if the Severn Bridge was getting similar help from the government."

Ian Gallagher, Freight Transport Association (FTA) policy manager for Wales, says the recession is "not discriminating by region, and neither should the government."