Ballard blasts Executive for ignoring Capital in tolls probe

SCOTTISH ministers were under fire today for "ignoring" Edinburgh as part of an investigation into the impact of removing tolls on the Forth Road Bridge.

The Scottish Executive has agreed to examine the economic, social and environmental impact of scrapping tolls on Fife and Dundee, but not the Lothians region.

Green MSP Mark Ballard said doing away with the charge will result in more cars clogging up roads around the Capital.

"The impact of the removal of tolls on the bridge will be on Edinburgh and the Lothians," he said.

"Fife Council and MSPs know that the transport infrastructure here cannot take more traffic, but are determined to export their congestion into Edinburgh and the Lothians rather than seeking any constructive solution to the problems - and it is the people in these areas who will end up suffering from the increased traffic levels and pollution.

Mr Ballard added: "It is crucial that the social and environmental impact of this on the economy of Edinburgh and the Lothians is taken into account - and it's extremely worrying that the Executive does not seem to realise this."

A Scottish Executive spokesman said: "Scottish ministers are well aware that there could be potential negative consequences on congestion in the Lothians if the tolls on the Forth Bridge were removed."