So what are the arguments against card payments? In the Severn Crossing Review meetings 2001–2006, officials originally sited the high commission costs of card processing as being the main deterrent. But in 2004 it was agreed that ‘acceptance of cards would increase throughput and that the costs would be less than previously expected’. But with the introduction of Chip and Pin technology, officials predicted that entering in Pin numbers would increase transaction times and remove one of the benefits of card acceptance. Tesco petrol station, NCP car-parks, many supermarket self-service checkouts all allow customers to swipe without entering their Pins, so this argument is far from water-tight.

Scotland’s Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) has said: "The new system will not make journeys over the bridge any faster. However, the new system will provide sophisticated tools for managing the flow of traffic onto the bridge and will make the collection of tolls more efficient, hopefully improving the bridge user's experience."

Maybe the Severn River Crossings and Highway Agency have missed the point. Commuters aren’t lobbying to get through the tolls any faster. They simply want to be able to use a payment method which is convenient, available and safe. Newport & Gwent Chamber of Commerce would welcome your comments on the debate. With enough support we may be able to find a solution.