Updated bridge payment methods were promised in time for the Ryder Cup Officials have been urged by MPs to do “everything possible” so drivers can pay by card on the Severn Bridges before Newport hosts the Ryder Cup.
The Highways Agency says it “hopes” credit and debit card payments can be brought in before tee-off on 1 October.
Thousands of fans will cross the bridges for the international showpiece golf event at the Celtic Manor Resort.
Conservative MP Alun Cairns said it was “such an important occasion” and a short-term answer may have to be found.
In June Transport Minister Norman Baker promised that the new payment methods would be in place for the tournament between Europe and the United States, which runs from October 1-3.
Some 45,000 people are due to attend the tournament on each of the three days and it has been calculated that the event will boost the Welsh economy by at least £73m.
In a statement the Highways Agency said: “Discussions between the Highways Agency and the Concessionaire, Severn River Crossings plc, to resolve the financial issues regarding the introduction of card payments are ongoing.”
“We hope the matter will be resolved before the Ryder Cup begins”
Highways Agency
“Work to amend the tolling software to allow for the processing of credit and debit cards had started.
“We hope the matter will be resolved before the Ryder Cup begins.”
The Welsh affairs committee is to visit the Severn Crossings later as part of its inquiry into their operation and future.
Responding to the Highways Agency’s statement, committee member Mr Cairns said: “I would urge the government and the tolling company to do everything possible in order to deliver this.
The Tory MP for the Vale of Glamorgan added: “This is such an important occasion for Wales. Arguing or debating over commission payments, if that is the reason, is simply unacceptable.
“If a long-term solution cannot be resolved immediately the next two weeks should be used to come up with a short-term solution”
Alun Cairns MP Welsh affairs commitee
“If a long-term solution cannot be resolved immediately the next two weeks should be used to come up with a short-term solution.”
Jessica Morden, the Labour MP for Newport East who is also on the committee, said she was “very disappointed” that the issue had not yet been resolved.
“They should allow the public to pay to use the bridges with the most convenient modern bridges,” she said.
“It should be a relatively simple thing to sort out.”
Evidence sessions for the committee’s inquiry will begin in October.
Among issues to be discussed will be toll prices, the impact of the tolls on the Welsh economy, the condition of the bridges and maintenance costs.
The committee will also look at the future of the bridges after the crossings have reverted to public ownership.
Currently operated by a private company, the Severn Bridge will return to government ownership when the firm has collected a fixed sum of money from tolls.
In June Mr Baker said the bridge could return to government hands by 2017 based on current estimates of toll earnings.
This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.