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Skye's the limit for toll campaigners
Page 18
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Campaigners are to challenge the continuance of Skye Bridge tolls in the courts. Chris Tindall reports.
HIGHLAND COUNCILLORS are set to launch a legal challenge against the tolling regime on the Skye Bridge following complaints that its construction costs have already been recovered. They will petition the Court of Session for a judicial review. At a meeting last Thursday (6 May) councillors were advised that proposals to stop charging motorists had been delayed by a review of toll charges on all road bridges in
Scotland.CouncillorAlison Magee says: "This looks like a tactic to kick this into touch."
Campaigners claim £4m has been overpaid by the public already and they want it back.
However, a Scottish Executive spokeswoman says: "Ministers see no reason to doubt the legality of it. The costs of the bridge will be repaid when Skye Bridge Ltd has recovered the agreed costs of £23.64m, based on 1991 prices."
She says this has been estimated to take 14 to 18 years since the bridge opened in 1995.
Stornoway, Isle of Lewis-based haulier DR Macleod runs around six trucks across the bridge every day; boss Donald Macleod is in favour of the toll being scrapped.
"We are paying them thousands of pounds a month," he says. "We pre-purchase tickets; we pay up front,they don't accept credit cards and won't give us an account."