10/02/07
Bridge tolls vote; logic, fairness?
Jim Fairlie, speaking for the Free Scotland Party, questioned the logic and fairness of bridge tolls being retained in the East of Scotland while tolls on bridges in the West of Scotland have been cancelled.
He said, “Why were bridge tolls ever put on bridges in the first place? Bridges are an integral part of the road system with motorists already paying road tax and duty on petrol to maintain the road system.”
“Scotland had more than its fair share of tolled bridges until the Erskine and Skye bridges tolls were cancelled, but with a vote by MSPs to retain the Forth and Tay bridge tolls motorists on the East coast will continue to pay an extra, unfair tax.”
“During the Scottish Parliamentary election campaign, voters will have the opportunity to question the various MSPs and parties about their stance on bridge tolls. There will be no hiding place for the parties on this issue.”
“The Free Scotland Party would vote to remove tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges, there is no logic to an argument that says bridges are justified on one coastline but not on another which leads on to the question of fairness too.”
“In such a tight decision every vote counted. You can disagree with the Greens over their position but at least they are consistent on motoring issues while Labour and Liberal Democrats had a party position which some MSPs chose to vote with but against what most of their constituents would want, these same constituents should show their appreciation by not voting for Labour or Liberal Democrats come May”.