This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
Listen
Over the sea to Skye
21/12/2004
Skye Bridge tolls were abolished today with immediate
effect.
Speaking in Kyleakin where he met local schoolchildren,
the First Minister Jack McConnell said:
"As an islander, I am delighted that today marks the end
of the discredited toll regime on the Skye Bridge.
"This is the start of a new era for Skye. Instead of
the Bridge being a symbol of controversy - it can now be a
symbol for growth and prosperity.
"A toll-free bridge will boost tourism and commerce - to
the benefit not only of the Skye and Lochalsh economy, but
also across the Highlands as a whole."
The Skye Bridge was opened nine years ago having been
built as one of the first private finance projects. Tolls
have been in place for all that time until today.
Transport Minister Nicol Stephen, said:
"This is a historic day for everyone on Skye. We made a
commitment last year to end the tolls on Skye bridge. Today
that promise has been delivered.
"The abolition of tolls sweeps away a source of deep
division and genuine injustice. Today's announcement is a
major commitment to the highlands of Scotland and to our
island and rural communities."
The payment to Skye Bridge Ltd is expected to be around
£27 million. The final figure will be known after December
31 when the final audited accounts of SBL are prepared.
The Executive takes formal responsibility for the bridge
from January 1, 2005, and future maintenance will be
carried out by BEAR on behalf of the Executive.
The decision to remove the tolls was taken following the
completion of the first phase of the bridges review
which looked at how tolls impact on environmental and
economic objectives of reducing pollution and
congestion.
It showed that the removal of tolls on the Skye Bridge
would have no adverse traffic or environmental
effects.
The work allowed Ministers to take an early decision to
remove the tolling regime on Skye bridge.
The traffic context and potential implications of
changing or removing tolls on the other bridges in Scotland
are more complicated and require further consideration
before any decisions are made.
Erskine plays a key role in the economic regeneration of
West Dunbartonshire. In the East, Forth and Tay bridges
are vital links from Fife to the cities of Dundee and
Edinburgh and beyond and there are significant local
congestion issues.
The second phase of the review will consider these
specific congestion issues as well as how Erskine Bridge
might help in meeting the challenge of reducing congestion
at the Clyde Tunnel and the Kingston Bridge in the centre
of Glasgow.
Commerzbank AG were appointed in January 2004 to
identify and analyse options for the future of tolling at
Skye.
This work was essential before negotiations with SBL to
end the tolling regime could begin. The final negotiations
were carried out between Executive officials and directors
of SBL.