§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the cost of maintaining the Erskine bridge.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe latest published accounts show that the operating and maintenance costs of the bridge were £326,247 in 1989–90.
§ Mr. Grahamto ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much was taken in tolls on the Erskine bridge each year since the bridge was opened.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThe latest published accounts are for 1989–90. The tolls collected each year since the bridge was opened are as follows:
Financial year Tolls collected £ 1971–72 194,775 1972–73 312,273 1973–74 359,570 1974–75 380,557 1975–76 417,495 1976–77 471,743 1977–78 524,666 1978–79 583,760 1979–80 525,059 1980–81 679,171 1981–82 843,467 1982–83 1,194,705 1983–84 1,257,592 1984–85 1,373,882 1985–86 1,394,421 1986–87 1,506,547 1987–88 1,627,605 1988–89 1,786,179 1989–90 2,360,403
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many staff are employed to collect the toll on the Erskine bridge; and if he will break it down by all staff grade involved.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonThere are at present 30 full-time and one part-time members of staff employed at Eskine bridge. They comprise the bridge manager, three administrative staff, six toll supervisors, 20 toll collectors and a part time handyman. Temporary toll collectors are also employed as necessary to cover for annual leave and sickness so as to maintain the service to the public.
§ Mr. GrahamTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many letters the Government have received complaining about the Erskine bridge toll since 1979.
78W
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNo record has been created and the information requested is not available.