MSPs vote to dump tolls

The Scottish Parliament tonight approved the Government's plans to abolish tolls on the Forth and Tay road bridges.

Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson said abolition would 'eliminate 40 years of injustice' since both bridges were opened in the 1960s.

The Minister promised that tolls would be end 'as soon as is practicable' or by the end of the year.

Mr Stevenson said:

"The financial cost to the Executive - both capital and current - of removing the bridge tolls will be considered fully in the forthcoming spending review. I have been advised that the current toll income for the two bridges in total is estimated to be between £15 million and £16 million per year.

"In effect the income from the tolls will be replaced by the same income - but that income will be provided by the Government, not by the residents and businesses of Fife and its surrounding area."