Moving the booths to the Fife end, she argued, would help reduce the level of congestion and pollution in the central Dundee area.

However, transport minister Nicol Stephen said, “We hold regular discussions with Tay Road Bridge Joint Board on a range of issues.

“We are aware the board is considering the possible relocation of the tolling booths as part of a range of measures to improve toll collection and reduce congestion at the bridge.

“Decisions on such a move are a matter for the Joint Board.”

At a meeting last year, members of the Tay Road Bridge board heard that an improved toll collection system would have a positive impact on the environment.

Members had previously noted that traffic in Dundee city centre comes to a standstill most weekday nights as a result of vehicles queuing to get on to the bridge.

Two options were put to the board — an improved tolling plaza at the current site, or relocation to the south side of the bridge with the tolling direction being reversed.

Councillors agreed this option should continue to be considered as part of a comprehensive study into the existing tolling arrangements and their impact on the central waterfront.

The transport minister, in response to questions from Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Bruce Crawford, also confirmed financial details relating to both the Tay and Forth road bridges.

Capital borrowing consents totalling £7.507 million were made available to the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board in the years 1999-2000 to 2003-04.

From April 1 last year, support funding is being paid in the form of capital grant, which is set at £2.3 million for the current year.

The Executive has not provided any support funding to maintain the Forth Road Bridge since 1999, and there is no outstanding debt on the crossing between Fife and the capital.

The Tolled Bridges Review: Phase One Report, published by the Scottish Executive, noted that the loan debt held by the Tay Road Bridge Joint Board amounted to £16.6 million at March 31 last year.