§ Mr. KennedyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the proposed construction of a road bridge to Skye; what submissions he has received from the private construction sector; what further consultations have taken place with representatives of the Highland regional council; what consideration has been given to the possibility of recouping capital costs by means of toll charges; and what assessment has been made of the implications of any of the above on the budgetary position of Highland regional council's roads department.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonHighland regional council commissioned a study of the possibility of building a bridge to Skye. This was discussed with officials of the Scottish Development Department in October 1987. It was agreed that the regional council should ask its consultants to carry out further work. Following its completion there was a discussion between Highland regional council and Scottish Development Department officials in November 1988. A range of options and their financial implications is now being considered. Two firms which suggested that the bridge might be built as a private sector project have been asked to provide further information, in particular on the level of tolls which might be charged if the bridge was built in this way.