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18 December 2004
Another Threat to Forth Bridge Toll
We recently (6th & 7th December) mentioned the Inquiry into Forth Road Bridge Toll increase. There is now a report that before the result of that is known they are already planning a bigger increase. To make it worse part of it is for a road scheme (A8000 / M9 spur) which the Inquiry was told the authorities had asked the Scottish Executive to fund:- Scotsman - "Forth Bridge tolls are set to rise again"
14 December 2004
""Useful?" Not a Lot"
With the Skye tolls expected to go at the end of this month, the American owned Skye Bridge Company showed their generosity.
The Skye and Lochalsh Orchestra held a fund-raising night for itself and a new chemotherapy unit at Broadford Hospital. The Company, asked for an auction prize, donated a book of 20 Toll tickets to cross the Skye bridge. Not surprisingly there were no takers. (Report from Ken Smoth and David Belcher in the Herald.)
Increase in Tay Bridge Tolls?
Grampian tv reports that "Motorists crossing the River Tay from Dundee to Fife could be faced with a hike in bridge tolls. The Scottish Executive have refused an application from the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board for cash to pay for repairs to the forty year old structure."
10 December 2004
MSPs want Tolls to go
Douglas Fraser in The Herald reports on a dispute where EU say ferry services have to go out to tender. He also reports that Clydeside MSPs are pressing for end to tolls on the Erskine bridge. (We wonder why all the Fife MSPs are not joining in?):- Coalition sails into troubled waters (3 pages)
9 December 2004
Do not go Forth alone
The Evening News reports that restrictions may be introduced for "Single Occupancy Vehicles" in Fife approaching the Forth Road Bridge and that "SOV"s crossing in peak periods will pay a far higher toll:- Solo bridge drivers set to face fines
8 December 2004
Speculation on End of Skye Toll
Speculation is growing about the long awaited announcement confirming that the Skye Tolls have gone:- BBC - Bridge charge deal seems nearer
7 December 2004
Day 2 of Forth Toll Inquiry
Inquiry into Increase in Toll on Forth Road Bridge ended today:- BBC - "Motorists attack bridge toll rise"
You can see more here:-
Forth
6 December 2004
All Scottish Tolls may go
Here is a very interesting story from Jonathan Paisley in the Evening Times. Keep your fingers crossed for all 4 of Scotland's tolls! Tolls on the Erskine Bridge set to be axed (story is on 2 pages)
Day 1 of Forth Toll Inquiry
Inquiry into Increase in Toll on Forth Road Bridge started today:- BBC - "Toll rise 'needed to meet costs'"
Here is what the authority that wants the increase had to say to the Evening News:- 'Eco-paint' blamed for road bridge tolls hike
And this is the report by Leeza Clark in the Courier in the next day's paper:- Tolls vital for bridge operation, inquiry told
You can see more here:-
Forth
2 December 2004
Fingers still crossed for Skye
The Herald reports that the Scottish Executive has agreed terms with the Bridge Company and that the abolition will be announced within the next week:- Skye bridge tolls abolished 'by end of year' (on 2 pages)
10 November 2004
"No need for road tolls in Dundee"
The Evening Telegraph in Dundee has reported that as part of a Scottish Executive consultation exercise, officers are recommending that road tolls are not introduced into the city. That is welcome, but how about the toll that has to be paid to cross into that fair city from across the Tay?
8 November 2004
Drivers Reject Tolls
We don't know if any will be surprised that 73% of Scottish drivers don't want tolls. Drivers reject tolls in poll
But what we don't understand is why it wasn't 100%!
7 November 2004
The way the wind blows in Scotland?
Scotland on Sunday today carried a profile of Shonaig Macpherson, who is a non executive director in the Scottish Executive. The profile says that she is an "advocate of road tolls". Let us hope that this is not a sign of the way things are likely to go in Scotland.
6 November 2004
Skye Fireworks
SKAT, a founder member of NAAT, had a general meeting tonight in Portree the Skye capital.
The Scottish Parliament has promised that the tolls will go this year. There will be fireworks in January, hopefully to celebrate the Parliament keeping its promise and the hated tolls going.
3 November 2004
Tolls wasted
The authority that runs the Forth bridge is to spend nearly £5 million on electronic tolls. This is despite the possibility that tolls might be stopped.:- Electronic tolls on road bridge
20 October 2004
Lone Objector
Lone objector's bridge inquiry to take 5 days
17 October 2004
10 weeks for Skye Tolls to go
The Scottish Executive said in June that tolls on bridge to Isle of Skye would go this year. But as the end of the year approaches there are fears that the Executive may not honour its promise:- Executive faces legal threat over the Skye Bridge toll
10 October 2004
Scotland the Brave
Arguments are continuing over the suggestion that a new road bridge is needed over the Forth. The anti roads lobby are trying to stop it, or if that fails to make sure that there are high tolls to discourage drivers from using it.
George Campbell from Fife is trying to stop toll increases on the existing Forth road bridge. We wish him luck at the forthcoming Inquiry, and if you would like to give him your support, then please email us and we will put you in touch with him:- contact George
20 August 2004
Forth Bridge tolls
The authority that runs the Forth road bridge want to increase the tolls, but they are being blocked by a lone hero:- Story in The Courier from Tayside; Story on BBC
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