£4 bridge toll a step closer

Transport experts have stressed that a dramatic increase in tolls is necessary to stem the growing volume of traffic using the congested Forth Road Bridge.

Now formal plans to introduce the higher charges by the autumn of 2007 are set to go before bridge bosses later this month, when they are expected to be approved.

But motoring groups today said there is "a fundamental unfairness" about the proposals.

Under the proposals, drivers in single-occupancy vehicles will have to pay a 2 toll for each crossing of the Forth Road Bridge during peak hours in the morning and evening - meaning it would cost 4 if the current one-way tolling system remains in place.

FETA, which runs the bridge, is also considering doubling the current 1 toll price to 2 for solo motorists for one hour either side of the peak hours.

The news comes after Transport Minister Tavish Scott made it clear he would not be forced into making a quick decision to build a new Forth Road Bridge.

Mr Scott's comments came as he ordered an independent assessment of a report by bridge bosses which found "irreversible" corrosion inside the main cables.

A major study into the future of the 41-year-old Forth crossing has warned the bridge is close to capacity and could close to heavy goods vehicles by 2013 if no action is taken.

FETA chairman and Edinburgh councillor Lawrence Marshall said it was "inevitable" that charges would rise. He said: "These proposals were first put forward in the summer and they've now been refined and will go in front of the next board meeting.

"We'll also hear the cable inspection report in that meeting so the issue of tolling is obviously critical.

"It does seem inevitable there will be a change in the tolling charges because something has to be done about the traffic."

FETA wants to reclassify tolls as road-user charges by 2007, so money can be used for wider transport improvements in the area.

If the proposals are accepted, the 4 charge would come into effect around that time.

A report, compiled for the region's umbrella transport body, South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTP), revealed that even these tough measures will fail to make a significant difference after six years, when they say a new bridge crossing will be required.

Neil Greig, policy chief with the AA, said: "There is a fundamental unfairness about these proposals and it goes against FETA's own research that found most of the traffic from Fife isn't going to the city centre.

"People heading to the city centre do have choices in travel, but for the people heading west to the Gyle or to Leith then they have no choice but to go over the bridge.

"This has come far too soon because there's not enough public transport alternatives.

"The Forth Road Bridge is part of a long-distance trunk road and it is wrong to suggest that everyone who uses it is driving into Edinburgh city centre," he added.

The SESTP report also recommended that "immediate" measures must be taken, including extra bus services and new road lanes for multi-occupancy vehicles heading for the bridge from Fife.

Concerns over the future of the bridge have already led to plans being drawn up for a new 600 million crossing, capable of carrying light railway and cars. But the Scottish Executive has yet to commit to the scheme and Mr Scott stressed the bridge was safe and would continue to carry traffic.

He expects to receive initial advice in January and a new engineering study is due to be completed by summer 2007.

Opposition parties have accused the Scottish Executive of dragging its feet and have urged immediate action to start planning a new bridge.