A few posts ago I commented how the Tories' policy on tolls had become somewhat confused over their latest announcement that they were to back the abolition of tolls for the Forth Road Bridge. The point being that did this mean that the Tories had now abandoned tolling as an option altogether?
The latest media release from the Tories seeks to clarify this, but I don't think it does. They are trying a fudge to please everyone, and as ever probably please no one.
Murdo Fraser said:
“We not (sic) object in principle to the idea of tolls being paid by travellers. Indeed, the principle of a Road Pricing Scheme is one which many in our Party would find attractive although the scheme currently being proposed by the UK Government is too seriously flawed to merit support. Where there are major new infrastructure works, particularly where these involve bridges or tunnels, it is not unreasonable to expect the users of these who will derive the most benefit to make a direct financial contribution.
"But if that is the principle we are going to apply it should be applied equally in all parts of the country. Firstly, in order to appease the Liberal Democrats in the Highlands & Islands, the Executive removed the tolls on the Skye Bridge. Then Labour members in the West of Scotland started to rattle their cages and so the tolls on the Erskine Bridge went. That left tolls only on the Tay and Forth Bridges, and it is very difficult to see the justification for these. "
OK, fair point. But surely that means a toll on a new bridge would be unfair too as it would then be the only toll in Scotland?
