PRESS COMMENT
Wednesday 7th November 2007

Bridge Tolls report

TRANSform Scotland today expressed its deep disappointment over the decision by the Parliament's TICC Committee to back the abolition of tolls from the Forth and Tay Road Bridges.

Paul Tetlaw, Chair of TRANSform Scotland, said:

"In transport management and environmental terms it sends out exactly the wrong kind of message. Effectively MSPs are saying: never mind all those messages you've been hearing about climate change, congestion and the need to use your cars less - just carry on - in fact we're going to make it cheaper for you if you are a car driver.

"The real irony is that this is being justified on equity grounds. Motorists are already subsidised when you take into account the total cost to society and now we are going to make it even cheaper to drive while the poorest in society. Those who in the main do not own a car will be paying through their taxes to further subsidise the motorist. That is the real inequity.

"It is a shame that only Patrick Harvie who chairs the Committee is willing to face up to this issue - and I congratulate him for that."

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