§ Mr. Hendersonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proposals he has received from the relevant bridge boards for changes in tolls on the Tay and Forth bridges; and how long he estimates it would take to pay off the outstanding debt on the bridges at current and proposed toll levels.
§ Mr. RifkindThe Tay Road Bridge Joint Board has published proposals to increase the toll for a motor cycle from 5p to 10p; for a private car from 12½p to 20p; for scheduled buses from 25p to 30p; and for heavy goods vehicles from 50p to 60p. The period for lodging objections to these proposals expired on 12 May and my right hon. Friend is considering whether to arrange a public local inquiry into the proposals.
The Forth Road Bridge Joint Board has informed me that it proposes to take no action to revise toll levels. My right hon. Friend is considering the implications of this decision.
The ability of the joint boards to meet the full costs of the bridges, including the outstanding debt, depends on a number of factors in addition to toll levels. These include maintenance costs, capital expenditure and traffic levels. It is unlikely, however, at the existing toll rates, that the statutory requirement to repay the debt would ever be met.