The Executive is responsible for overall policy and legislation relating to Scotland's tolled bridges. Read on for information about -
Review of Tolled Bridges
The Executive has completed a comprehensive two-phase review of Scotland's tolled bridges
Phase One
Phase one examined existing tolls, including the way in which potential changes to tolls could help achieve the environmental and economic objectives of reducing pollution and congestion. The Tolled Bridges Review Phase One Report was published in December 2004.
Tolled Bridges Review Phase One Report (HTML web page)
Tolled Bridges Review Phase One Report (PDF)
Phase One found that there would be no adverse economic or environmental impacts from removing the tolls on the Skye Bridge . Tolls at the Skye Bridge were removed from 21 December 2004.The Skye Bridge remains part of the trunk road network and is currently maintained by the trunk road operating company BEAR Scotland on behalf of Transport Scotland.
News Release in which the First Minister announced an end to the tolls (HTML web page)
It also found that the traffic context and potential implications of changing or removing tolls on the other bridges in Scotland are more complicated and require further consideration before any decisions are made.
Phase Two
Phase Two of the Review examined issues surrounding the management, maintenance and operation of the remaining three tolled bridges in Scotland, and how they relate to the new regional and national transport arrangements.
A public consultation paper was launched in April 2005. Sixty-three responses were received in total.
Responses to the Tolled Bridges Review Phase Two Consultation Paper (HTML web page)
In addition, the Executive carried out a series of meetings to gather views from:
- Bridge professionals
- Local authority officers
- Representatives of bridge users e.g. public transport operators, motoring and freight organisations, economic and environmental groups
The results of Phase Two were announced on 1 March 2006 by the Minister for Transport in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
The Tolled Bridges Review Phase Two Report was published in March 2006.
The key results of Phase Two are as follows:
- Tolls were removed from the Erskine Bridge on 31 March 2006, to reduce congestion and air quality problems elsewhere in Glasgow.
- Tolling is to continue at the Tay Road Bridge, to redeem debt, pay for maintenance and as a demand management tool.
- Tay Road Bridge Joint Board will remain the authority responsible for the operation and management of the Bridge, and should be given more flexibility to deal with transport issues in its vicinity.
- Tolling will continue at the Forth Road Bridge.
- Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) will remain responsible for the operation and management of the Bridge in the meantime.
Technical supporting documentation can be accessed on the Transport Model for Scotland website. At the home page, the reports can be accessed by navigating through "Model Data" then "Documents", and then "Reports".
To assist in undertaking Phase Two of the Tolled Bridges Review, we commissioned a report to investigate the use of High Occupancy Vehicle Lanes on the Forth Road Bridge.
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Study to Examine the Tay and Forth Tolls
Since the announcement on 1 March 2006 of the outcomes of the Tolled Bridges Review - Phase Two, there have been calls to remove the tolls from the Tay and Forth Road Bridges. While remaining committed to the outcomes of the Review, Ministers have responded to these concerns by undertaking a further study. This will be a full examination of the economic, social and environmental impacts and costs of retaining or removing the tolls from the Tay and Forth Road Bridges. It will focus on the impacts of the tolls on the economy and local communities in Fife and Dundee; will also examine wider impacts, on the Lothians and nationally; and will follow the principles set out in the Scottish Transport Appraisal Guidance (STAG).
To begin this study, Ministers have invited all interested parties to submit any factual evidence they wish to provide in support of the retention or removal of tolls from the Tay and Forth Road Bridges. Submissions should be sent to the Scottish Executive at tolledbridges@scotland.gsi.gov.uk, or to the Scottish Executive, Road Pricing Team, Area 2D North, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh EH6 6QQ, by 17 August 2006.
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Forth Road Bridge
The Forth Road Bridge opened to traffic in September 1964. It is owned and operated by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA), a Joint Board comprising members from the following councils -
- Edinburgh
- Fife
- West Lothian
- Perth and Kinross
As well as managing and maintaining the Forth Road Bridge, FETA is able to borrow and invest toll income in improvements to roads and public transport which will ease congestion.
The Bridge itself carries over 60,000 vehicles a day on more than half the days in the year, and more than 90% of crossings are made by car. Tolls are charged for northbound traffic only.
The Forth Road Bridge (Toll Period) Extension Order 2006 (PDF) was made on 9 March 2006. It extends the existing tolling powers for four years.
Current toll levels, and information relating to maintenance, current projects and FETA's Local Transport Strategy are set out on FETA's website at www.feta.gov.uk.
The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) submitted to Scottish Ministers an application for "approval in principle" of a road user charging scheme and associated package of transport improvements.
The Transport Minister announced Scottish Ministers' decision on this application in his statement to Parliament on 1 March 2006, and issued this letter to FETA explaining the reasons for that decision.
FETA Application for Approval in Principle
FETA Application for Approval in Principle Decision Letter
There has been recent concern about cable corrosion on the Forth Road Bridge. Although there are no immediate safety concerns about the bridge, there are two potential long-term problems. If the corrosion cannot be slowed or halted, based on current information the bridge may have to be closed to heavy goods vehicles at some point between 2013 and 2018 and to cars at some point between 2019 and 2024.
Technical Audit of the Main Cable Inspection and Assessment of the Forth Road Bridge: Final Report
FETA is instructing further work: the fitting of acoustic monitoring on the bridge cable; a feasibility study into dehumidification to slow or halt the corrosion, although if that system is fitted the results may not be known for several years; and a study into strengthening or replacing the cable that is due for completion around the summer 2007.
The most optimistic timeframe for replacing the crossing is around 2014 - if the work starts now. It is prudent, therefore, to start the planning now. However, such planning may prove unnecessary if methods are found to safeguard the existing bridge with more certainty.
Starting preparatory work is not a commitment to constructing a new crossing. Given the evidence, however, it is essential to start preparations in case the bridge needs to be replaced. That will ensure that if a new crossing is needed, time will not be lost waiting for the results of relevant studies. Transport Scotland will take the work forward as part of the strategic projects review. The role of any replacement crossing will be properly considered in light of the National Transport Strategy.
Due process must be followed. The Executive is, therefore, unable to say at this time what the design of a replacement crossing would be, how much it would cost or how it would be funded. Those issues will be examined as the work proceeds, and environmental considerations will be a critical part of that analysis.
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Tay Road Bridge
The Tay Road Bridge opened to traffic in August 1966. It is owned and operated by the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, comprising members from the following councils -
Tolls are charged for southbound traffic only.
Information on current toll levels is set out on the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board website at www.tayroadbridge.co.uk
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Erskine Bridge
The Erskine Bridge opened to traffic in July 1971. It is owned by Transport Scotland and forms part of the strategic trunk road network. The trunk road operating company AMEY Infrastructure Services Limited is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the Erskine Bridge.
Tolls were removed from the Erskine Bridge on 31 March 2006 following the recommendations of the Tolled Bridges Review Phase Two report.
Immediately after the Minister announced the lifting of the tolls, a scheme was put in place which enabled holders of unused pre-paid vouchers to obtain a full refund. This scheme attracted more than 60,000 returned vouchers over the period 6 March - 30 June 2006. The scheme is now closed.