This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Bridge toll impact study
17/05/2006
A team of independent consultants is to be appointed to carry out a detailed study of the economic, social and environmental costs and impacts of retaining or removing tolls from the Forth and Tay road bridges.
From today all interested parties can submit any factual evidence they want considered to the Executive.
That evidence will then be analysed, with an initial report to Ministers expected by the end of the year.
Tenders will be invited for this work, with the consultants appointed by the end of the summer.
TYransport Minister Tavish Scott said:
"This additional work will consider the economic, social and environmental impact of tolls. MSP's and others will want to submit factual evidence to this study. I look forward to looking at that evidence."
Scottish Ministers committed the Executive to carry out an examination of the economic, social and environmental impact and cost of retaining or removing the tolls from Forth and Tay bridges during a debate in Parliament on March 30.
Detailed terms of reference are currently being developed. The consultants appointed will be expected to follow the principles set out in the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).
The study will focus on the impacts of the tolls on the economy and local communities in Fife and Dundee, and will also examine wider impacts, on the Lothians and nationally.