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'Rebel' MSPs in toll scrap call Bridges debate ends in stalemate
(about 7 hours later)
Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs from the east coast of Scotland have spoken out against bridge tolls. A Holyrood debate on scrapping tolls on the Forth and Tay road bridges has ended in stalemate after the parliament failed to agree a position.
The SNP has demanded the abolition of charges on the Forth and Tay bridges, but the Scottish Executive said the move could make congestion worse. The result came after Labour and Liberal Democrat MSPs from the east coast spoke against the charges.
Rebel Fife MSP Scott Barrie told parliament he had resigned as Labour whip to speak out against the tolls. The SNP-led debate demanded the abolition of tolls, but the transport minister warned that the move could make congestion worse.
However, Transport Minister Tavish Scott said that the SNP was ignoring environmental concerns. Both the Nationalists and executive motions were defeated.
The Nationalists brought the Holyrood debate to "end the discrimination" against the east of Scotland, putting forward a motion calling for the removal of tolls on the two road bridges. Rebel Fife MSP Scott Barrie earlier told parliament he had resigned as Labour whip to speak out against the tolls.
The Nationalists brought the debate to "end the discrimination" against the east of Scotland, putting forward a motion calling for the removal of tolls on the two road bridges.
Removing these tolls increases congestion Tavish ScottTransport minister
Mr Barrie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline West, said he was unable to support an executive motion seeking to link retention of tolls with the case for a new Forth crossing.Mr Barrie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline West, said he was unable to support an executive motion seeking to link retention of tolls with the case for a new Forth crossing.
"I believe absolutely, fundamentally, tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges should be removed," he said."I believe absolutely, fundamentally, tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges should be removed," he said.
The tolls have had their day and today this Parliament should make it clear that they must go Murdo FraserScottish Conservatives He was backed by Helen Eadie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, and Liberal Democrat North East Fife MSP Iain Smith, who both said they supported the SNP on the issue.
The scrapping of tolls on the Skye and Erskine bridges in the west have prompted SNP to claim that continuing tolls in the east has led to resentment in that part of the country. The SNP call to scrap the Forth and Tay road bridge tolls was defeated by 65 votes to 58 with one abstention.
Mr Scott said that, based on interviews with employers and the public sector in Dundee, Fife and Lothians, the financial level of the tolls were not a major concern. 'Cynical ploy'
The executive amendment, calling for abolition of tolls to be considered as part of the case for a new crossing was also defeated - by 66 votes to 56.
The scrapping of tolls on the Skye and Erskine bridges in the west prompted SNP to claim that continuing tolls in the east has led to resentment in that part of the country.
Transport Minister Tavish Scott said that, based on interviews with employers and the public sector in Dundee, Fife and Lothians, the financial level of the tolls were not a major concern.
"Of much more concern is the issue of increasing traffic levels, increasing congestion and, of course, the separate issue of the viability of the Forth Road Bridge crossing," he told MSPs."Of much more concern is the issue of increasing traffic levels, increasing congestion and, of course, the separate issue of the viability of the Forth Road Bridge crossing," he told MSPs.
He went on: "Removing these tolls increases congestion, which increases emissions, which increases our impact upon the global environment. The SNP are in denial about that."He went on: "Removing these tolls increases congestion, which increases emissions, which increases our impact upon the global environment. The SNP are in denial about that."
'Cynical ploy' Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Tricia Marwick earlier accused Labour and the Lib Dems of a "cynical ploy" in allowing Fife MSPs to vote in favour of the SNP motion.
Helen Eadie, Labour MSP for Dunfermline East, who claimed that businesses were staying away from Fife because of the tolls, said she would back the SNP.
"I have campaigned all my political life to have these tolls removed because I believe it's the right thing to do," she said.
Liberal Democrat Iain Smith, MSP for North East Fife, said he would also vote with the Nationalists.
But Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Tricia Marwick accused Labour and the Lib Dems of a "cynical ploy" in allowing Fife MSPs to vote in favour of the SNP motion.
They had calculated that, with the support of the Greens, they would still win the vote on the issue, she claimed.
Ms Marwick added: "The toll money has been used since 1995 as the cash cow to fund transport projects which should be the responsibility of government."
The Scottish Greens have called for a car sharing programmeThe Scottish Greens have called for a car sharing programme
Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser described the tolls as "a unique form of taxation on the people of Fife and the east of Scotland". She added: "The toll money has been used since 1995 as the cash cow to fund transport projects which should be the responsibility of government."
The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP added: "The tolls have had their day and today this parliament should make it clear that they must go." Tory deputy leader and Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser described the tolls as "a unique form of taxation on the people of Fife and the east of Scotland".
Green MSP Mark Ballard argued for an alternative form of charges. And Green Lothians MSP Mark Ballard argued for an alternative form of charges, where vehicles travelling at peak periods had to pay more.
The Lothians member said smart tolls - where vehicles travelling at peak periods are charged more and those with several passengers pay less - should be considered.
SSP leader Colin Fox also spoke against the charges.SSP leader Colin Fox also spoke against the charges.
The National Alliance Against Tolls urged all parties to support the SNP motion. A spokesman for the National Alliance Against Tolls said: "The people of Fife and Tayside will be extremely disappointed. The tolls should have been removed many years ago.
A spokesperson for the group said: "It is unfair and inequitable that the people of Fife and Tayside should pay a toll tax that applies nowhere else in Scotland." "This vote is a clear signal that the executive is determined to hang on to both the tolls. Any promises to remove the tolls that may appear in the manifestos of those parties that voted for the toll will be worthless."