| Members of the bridge’s Joint Board, meeting in Dundee, voted in favour of a report on future toll collection arrangements from the bridge manager and engineer.
The report outlined the preferred option of moving the tolls to the south side and charging northbound traffic, a project likely to cost more than £13 million and get under way no sooner than late 2011.
A meeting in the City Chambers was told there would be benefits in terms of reducing pollution and congestion in Dundee and complementing Fife Council’s proposals for Park and Choose sites.
The report considered today was submitted on the assumption the Executive’s review of tolled bridges in Scotland endorses the continuation of charging on the Tay crossing.
The board is now to seek a meeting with the transport minister prior to the November announcement of the outcome of the Executive consultation.
Tayport Councillor Margaret Taylor said she welcomed the report, but believed no decision should be made until the review was published.
Councillor Andrew Arbuckle added, “I have a feeling we are racing ahead of the Scottish Executive decision on the toll bridges. We may be jumping the gun.”
The Newburgh and Tay Coast councillor also questioned the legalities of the board including issues such as congestion and pollution in their deliberations.
Officers have been authorised to consult with the Scottish Executive, the adjoining local authorities and the new regional transport partnerships regarding their support and funding for the toll booth move, or for the next favoured option of a four-booth plaza on the Dundee side.
In the shorter term, the joint board also authorised the bridge manager to set in motion the establishment of an electronic toll collection system in the three existing booths.
Members were told the £1.8 million system was required because the age and vulnerability of the existing manual toll meant it had to be replaced as soon as possible.
The company maintains it is withdrawing from that type of business in December 2006 and any arrangement beyond that would be a short-term solution.
Proposing approval of the report, Dundee Lord Provost John Letford said, “We have to be absolutely sensible and look at the risks, rather than opposing it left, right and centre.”
Councillor Taylor put forward an amendment, deleting the reference to the relocation of the toll being a preferred option, and to officers being authorised to seek support for that proposal and the next-favoured option.
The Lord Provost’s motion was passed by seven votes to two. |
