THE National Assembly's review of trunk roads, now out for consultation, could have far-reaching implications for the local highway authority.

The Cleddau Bridge could be trunked and tolls could soar, as in the case of the Humber Bridge and the Severn Bridge.

Members of Pembrokeshire County Council's cabinet were warned on Monday that there could be other major impacts: * County council highways staff being 'poached' by larger trunk road management units. * Loss of revenue to fund the local highway network. * Loss of control and influence over road improvement priorities, inward investment and employment.

Council leader, Councillor Maurice Hughes, referred to problems experienced as a result of Assembly control of trunk roads, citing the congestion at the Merlins Bridge roundabout since McDonald's was built.

He warned that if the Cleddau Bridge was trunked, tolls could soar as in the case of the Humber Bridge and the Severn Bridge. The council had rectified the defects on the bridge, making it a safe and viable prospect.

Councillor Bill Roberts agreed that tolls would not be reduced or removed if the bridge was trunked. 'We have reduced the debt from nearly £13 million to £4 million and have spent about £4.3 million on strengthening to accommodate heavier weights under European directives,' he said.

Councillor Pat Griffiths said Councillor Bill Philpin, who had been involved in the long history of the bridge, had asked her to express his views in favour of trunking, but Councillor Peter Stock said it was important the bridge remained under county control.

Councillor Brian Howells agreed tolls could rise and he and Councillor John Davies made a strong case against detrunking the A487 Cardigan Fishguard road. Councillor Brian Hall suggested it was 'poppycock' to think tolls would be reduced or removed by trunking the Cleddau Bridge. If it was trunked, he suggested, the Assembly might hand it back in five or ten years' time with astronomical maintenance costs.

Chief executive, Mr Bryn Parry-Jones, said there was no proposal on the table that tolls would be taken away. It was agreed to oppose trunking of the bridge and the de-trunking of the A487 in the response to the Assembly consultation. l After the meeting, Councillor Bill Philpin told the Western Telegraph: 'For years the old Pembrokeshire County Council tried to get the Cleddau Bridge trunked and the responsibility taken over by the Welsh Office. We managed to get a promise from MP Nick Edwards in 1974 that if the Conservatives were returned at the next election he would see that it was trunked and that all tolls would be abolished. When he became Secretary of State for Wales we gave him hell because he failed to keep his pledge.'

Added Councillor Philpin: 'The Cleddau Bridge is a fantastic bridge. It has served Pembrokeshire well. But it has meant that the council has had a huge debt hanging over it and in future years the bridge could generate massive maintenance costs which could lead to increased tolls. The aim of having the bridge trunked is that it would cease to be Pembrokeshire's problem.