The Scottish Executive’s promise of a fresh review of local effects of toll abolition on the Tay and Forth road bridges has failed to quell the anger of local authorities in Fife and Dundee.
The recent review of Scotland’s tolled bridges recommended an end to Erskine Bridge tolls but said those on the two eastern bridges should remain.
The move sparked anger in the affected communities and, in response to a debate in the Scottish Parliament last week, Scottish transport minister, Tavish Scott, promised an urgent further study on the effects in Fife and Dundee of removing or retaining the tolls. This came after the recent review of Scotland’s three remaining bridge tolls which Scott said demonstrated that tolls on the Tay bridge contribute to combating congestion.
The review report had, however, highlighted that much of the congestion problem was down to the location of the toll plaza on the Dundee side (Surveyor, 16 March).
Asked why there was a need for a further review, an Executive spokesman said: ‘The bridges review looked at management and maintenance issues. We’re now examining the economic, social and environmental benefits and costs of removing the tolls.’
The first phase of the recent review had merely considered whether potential changes to the tolling management could help environmental and economic goals.
Scott’s move came after MSPs from Fife had tabled an emergency motion demanding the tolls be abolished, and the councils are sustaining their campaign.
‘The bridges review didn’t put forward justifiable arguments,’ Fife Council leader, Anne McGovern, told Surveyor. ‘It’s an added expense to any business which sets up here and transports freight. It also adds considerably to the cost of working in Fife and the Lothians.’
She claimed that their absence would be no deterrent to increasing usage. The Forth Bridge tolls were being seen as a way of financing the bridge’s maintenance, but she could see no consistent rationale for Tay Bridge tolls.
Dundee City Council also vowed to maintain pressure. ‘I’m very disappointed, because there was cross-party support over this issue,’ said leader, Cllr Jill Shimi. ‘We have been promised a review, but I would obviously have preferred a different decision.’
During the debate, it was said that scrapping Tay Bridge tolls would mean paying off the £13M debt, but it was pointed out that sum was a current estimate for the planned moving of toll booths from north to south of the bridge to reduce congestion.