Congestion alert as bridge tolls scrapped

Published on Sunday 10 February 2008 21:37

DRIVERS are being warned to expect congestion on the approaches to the Forth and Tay road bridges over the next few days as motorists get used to crossing without paying a toll.

Charges to cross both bridges ended at one minute past midnight today, meaning there are now no toll bridges in Scotland.

Removing the tolls is expected to speed rush-hour traffic on both crossings, although an increase in the number of vehicles on roads around the Forth Road Bridge has been predicted.

Anti-toll campaigners and Stewart Stevenson, the transport minister, hailed it as a "historic day" but opposition politicians and environmentalists warned of increased congestion and pollution.

Neil Greig, the Scottish policy manager for the Institute of Advanced Motorists, predicted the changes would take a few days to bed in.

He said: "There is bound to be some congestion on Monday and the first few days as people get used to the changeover and are perhaps slowing down as they are not sure about the new layouts.

"This is the same with any new road layout or roadworks, but I think it will settle down quite quickly. I don't think there will be any long-lasting congestion as a result of these changes."

A clear two-lane carriageway has been created from the M9 Spur and A90 through the toll plaza at the Forth Road Bridge, while work to remove toll booths on the Tay bridge is set to get under way today.

Over the next few months, the rest of the toll booths and the canopy will be removed from the Forth Road Bridge, although an overhead gantry with signals will be put in place to allow traffic to be stopped in emergencies.

Works on the Tay crossing are expected to last up to six weeks.

Margaret Smith, the Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, has called for close monitoring of traffic levels on the approaches to the Forth Road Bridge, particularly in light of a study by bridge operator the Forth Estuary Transport Authority which predicts a 21 per cent increase in bridge traffic levels now the tolls have gone.

She said: "While I welcome the benefits which the toll removal will bring for many commuters in the area, I'm sure that many will also share my concerns about the impact on the local traffic and the environment.

"It is essential traffic levels on the bridge are closely monitored and that any problems resulting from toll abolition are dealt with quickly and effectively by the Scottish Government."

Sestran, the south-east Scotland transport body, warned last month that removing the tolls would mean northbound traffic from the Echline roundabout next to the bridge might have difficulty in merging with A90 traffic during peak time, resulting in long queues.

TALE OF THE TOLL BRIDGES

1964:

Forth Road Bridge opened

1966:

Tay Road Bridge opened

500,768,800:

Total vehicles tolled on Forth Road Bridge

226,443,000:

Total Forth Road Bridge tolls collected

4.6 million:

Traffic in 1965 – Forth Road Bridge's first full year open

23.6 million:

Traffic in 2007

122,831,400:

Total vehicles tolled on Tay Road Bridge