Theresa May will scrap Severn Bridge tolls if elected next month, she pledged today.

Announcing the move, the Prime Minister said her Conservative party would end tolls for all vehicles using the Severn Crossings en route to Wales.

The measure, she claimed, would drive economic growth in the local area.

Current fees cost drivers £6.70, with larger vehicles paying up to £20. The plan would scrap fees for 25m drivers using the crossings each year.

Monmouth AM Nick Ramsay said the measure would help out local businesses.

“Scrapping the tolls will provide a brilliant boost to the local economy and help reduce the cost of doing business between England and Wales,” he said.

“The tolls will be scrapped next year when Highways England is due to take over responsibility for the bridges from Severn Crossings plc.

“I’m sure my Monmouth constituents and communities on both sides of the Severn will be delighted by this news which will help transform the economic prospects of South Wales and the South West of England.

“The prospect of no longer having to queue at the toll booths and pay the hefty tolls from next year will be universally welcomed.”

David Davies, Conservative candidate for the Monmouth seat, said he welcomed a move he has previously championed.

"As former chair of the Welsh Affairs Committee, I would like to think this has partly come about because of our work since 2010 on scrutinising the future of the Severn crossings.

"I have long campaigned for the tolls to be scrapped and today’s announcement is fantastic news for the local economy.

"It shows Theresa May’s Conservatives are not a London-based party. We are a party for the whole of the UK and Wales will benefit enormously if the Conservatives are re-elected."