Bridge chiefs aiming to win public support for higher tolls

THE operators of the Forth Road Bridge want to win "the hearts and minds" of the Edinburgh public in their bid to raise tolls.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority plans to replace the single 1 toll with a road-user charging scheme, which would vary rates dependent on the number of passengers and time of day.

The proposals, scheduled for April 2007, include a massive hike in the cost of crossing for single-occupancy vehicles during peak times - with 3 the likely figure.

Aware of opposition to the scheme, Feta has ordered a report into its public relations strategy.

Fife chief executive Douglas Sinclair, who was also chief executive of Feta until this week, said the body must "learn lessons from Edinburgh's experience with congestion charging".

"The key projects that require a PR and communications resource include the development of a road-user charge by 2007 and other public transport schemes," he said.

The Feta board agreed to commission a report into the authority's communication strategy, but was accused by Fife councillor Alice McGarry of "spin-doctoring".