Toll costs are Skye high
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by Derren Hayes • Hauliers on the Isle of Skye are overloading vehicles to save money when crossing the Skye Bridge, claims a toll protest group.
However, Skye hauliers deny that they are overloading their vehicles— they say the risk of getting caught and the costs it would bring is enough of a deterrent. Skye and Kyle Against the Tolls (SCAT) says that hauliers are overloading their trucks in an effort to reduce the number of times they have to cross the bridge and so avoid paying the £50 return toll.
The high levels of charges for LGVs have hit Skye hauliers hard: many are having to pay extra costs of up to £1,000 a week (CM1-7 Feb).
SCAT's Angus Macruary says: "The tolls are so high that they have forced some hauliers to overload and break the law—it's an obvious progression.
"When the ferry service was running it allowed hauliers with empty wagons to cross for free," he adds. "It made a profit and served the community well. but now costs have almost doubled and everybody is suffering."
But Skye Marble, one of the biggest users of the bridge, says: "It would be a stupid and dangerous thing to do and I don't think any haulier in the region would do it."
L More than 180 protesters are to appear in court on 9 February to face 26 charges under the New Roads and Street Act 1991 for refusing to pay the tolls. The charges carry a maximum penalty of £1,000.