SCOTS FACE BRIDGE TOLL RISES
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• Scottish operators are likely to face increased tolls on the Forth and Tay road bridges in Scotland if the bridges are privatised as a result of the Local Government Etc (Scotland) Bill, warn MPs.
The bill is now making its way through Parliament. The two bridges are currently operated by Iwo sets of Iwo local authorities: Forth Bridge links Lothian and Fife council areas and the Tay links Fife and Teeside.
Brian Donohoe, Labour MP for Cunningham South, says local authorities would not be able to afford to continue to maintain the bridges. He says the Scottish Office would look at an executive agency option first, followed by privatisation. Consequently tolls would rise, "without doubt, because they would hove to make a profit—there's no possibility of anything else". Some 750 heavy goods vehicle operators currently pay between 65p and £2 a day to use the bridges. The decision to privatise rests with Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Lang.