Tolls end on Scottish bridges

* Forth and Tay crossings will be free * Last few days of charges * Equality for all bridges in Scotland...

Tolls end on Scottish bridges

Motorists will no longer have to pay to cross the Forth and Tay road bridges from February 11.

The Scottish parliament voted in December to abolish the existing tolls, and bridge authorities agreed the date of abolition once the legislation had received royal assent.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) and the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board, which manage the bridges, will now receive funding direct from the Scottish Government in place of the tolls, which are currently 1 for cars on the Forth bridge and 80p on the Tay.

Some of the 104 Forth bridge administration staff face redundancy as a result of the decision, but transport minister Stewart Stevenson said he believed the move would be welcomed by motorists.

There will now be equality on all bridges in Scotland, he said.