High Skye £50 bridge tolls are ruled lawful
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III High tolls on the Skye Bridge that are costing hauliers hundreds of pounds a week each have been ruled lawful by a Scottish sheriff.
Sheriff James Fraser rejected a claim by protestors that the levies were contrary to the 1707 Act of Union between Scotland and England.
The hearing provided a forum to debate the legalities of the case and enable the Sheriff to rule on it.
Neil Murray, QC, counsel for over 180 protestors facing
charges of non-payment of tolls, had argued at an earlier hearing that tolls to cross the £25 million bridge were invalid.
Many hauliers have been badly affected by the £50 return charge, with some saying it is costing them an extra £1,000 per week (CM 1-7 Feb).
However, the sheriff ruled in favour of the Crown in test cases against three of the accused and refused the defence the right to appeal.
The trials of the 180 accused take place in April and May.