15 July 1995 - Final Section of Bridge Now In Place

As most of you in the UK no doubt seen on the news (it was on Breakfast time, BBC, ITV, and Sky, of course!), the final section of the bridge between Kyle of Lochalsh and Kyleakin on Skye was put into place today.

The opening date of the bridge to the public is now October. At that time, the ferry run by Caledonian Macbraynes (a government owned company) will be taken off for good.

The toll to cross the bridge is an estimated GBP5.20 each way for a car (a whole 20p cheaper than the ferry currently is, so that they can say that the bridge is cheaper). Locals will be able to buy books of 10 tickets which work out about GBP3 each way (price to be confirmed). This will be the most expensive toll bridge in Europe.

Some local people are going to try and set up their own ferry in competition, the problem with this is that they will not be entitled to any grants or subsidies due to the bridge.

The majority of people in the area object to:-

  1. The cost of the crossing,
  2. The way it will affect tourism and
  3. The way Kyle and Kyleakin will be bypassed

in order of disgruntlement.
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Copyright © Ray Shields, 1996.

Most recent revision, 15 February 1996.