§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland on which date the capital cost of the Forth road bridge is expected to be paid off; and if he will make a statement on(a)his intentions for tolling thereafter and (b) the future allocation of toll revenues. [11517]
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe Forth Road Bridge Order Confirmation Act 1958 provides for income from bridge tolls to be used to service and repay loans, including those in respect of the capital cost of the bridge, and to pay for its operation, maintenance and repair. It also provides for tolling to continue until adequate provision is made for the latter. The capital cost of the bridge has been fully paid off.
The tolling period was extended in 1993 to 28 May 1998 to provide for essential strengthening and other maintenance works. The Forth transport working group, comprising representatives of the Forth Road Bridge joint board, Fife and Lothian regional councils and the Scottish Office, is examining future tolling arrangements as part of a wider consideration of transport issues across the Forth. The group will report to the Secretary of State and the convenors of the regional councils in due course.