Drivers using the Severn bridges (M4 & M48) are being warned by unions that they could face severe disruption tomorrow as toll booth workers threaten to go on strike in a dispute over shift patterns.

According to the Freight Transport Association, the importance of the crossings which form part of the Trans European Network cannot be understated keeping businesses in Wales and the South of England in touch with markets in the rest of the UK and Europe.

Strike action including a 24 hour walk out, an overtime ban and work-to-rule is being threatened on Friday August 24, the start of the Bank Holiday weekend.

Freight Transport Association (FTA) considers any possible congestion at the crossing as a result of the strike action to be unacceptable, with the only acceptable solution to ease any potential hold-ups to be lifting the toll's during the proposed industrial action.

Ian Gallagher, FTA policy manager, Southwest & Wales said:
"The Concessionaire must not adopt a piece meal response to any strike action by limiting the number of booths. Strike action can only result in one response by the concessionaire that of opening the gates allowing free flow traffic."