Move to drive up Forth tolls

The bridge tolls have not risen since 1986

Tolls on the Forth Road Bridge are set to rise by 25% under proposals from its operators.

If the move is approved by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) next Friday the toll for cars will rise from 80p to £1 from the start of October.

FETA said the increase was needed to meet rising maintenance costs, which will top £9m in the coming year.

The authority said it was almost 20 years since the last rise in tolls on the link between Fife and the Lothians.

The proposal will be considered by the FETA board as part of its budget and spending plans.

Any toll increase would need to be approved by the Scottish Executive and could be the subject of a public inquiry.

Our commitments are enormous, both to maintaining the bridge and to providing support for road schemes designed to alleviate congestion around the bridge Councillor Mike Rumney FETA convener

FETA has predicted that it will be £29m in debt by 2018 if tolls do not rise.

Convener, Councillor Mike Rumney, said the bridge authority was facing increased financial pressures to pay for ongoing maintenance.

"It is almost 20 years since the tolls were last increased," he said.

"Since 1986 the retail price index has increased by over 80%. An index-linked toll would therefore be around £1.45."

Over the coming year the authority will spend more than £9m on maintaining the 40-year-old bridge.

Mr Rumney added: "Our commitments are enormous, both to maintaining the bridge and to providing support for road schemes designed to alleviate congestion around the bridge."

The costs include £65m on bridge repainting over a 15-year period and £3.2m to replace toll equipment.

A £3.5m project to resurface the southbound carriageway will be carried out this year and could be necessary every five years.