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Salmond plans to end bridge tolls Salmond plans to end bridge tolls
(20 minutes later)
First Minister Alex Salmond is to set out plans to scrap tolls on the Tay and Forth road bridges as part of his programme for running Scotland.First Minister Alex Salmond is to set out plans to scrap tolls on the Tay and Forth road bridges as part of his programme for running Scotland.
The SNP, which has branded the charges "unacceptable and unfair", promised to introduce a bill to abolish them within 100 days of taking office.The SNP, which has branded the charges "unacceptable and unfair", promised to introduce a bill to abolish them within 100 days of taking office.
Mr Salmond will set out his plans in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.Mr Salmond will set out his plans in a statement to the Scottish Parliament.
However, his minority administration will need to gain the support of other parties to get the proposals through.However, his minority administration will need to gain the support of other parties to get the proposals through.
Mr Salmond will tell MSPs that plans will be brought forward for the abolition of the bridge charges, with the timescale to be set out soon after.Mr Salmond will tell MSPs that plans will be brought forward for the abolition of the bridge charges, with the timescale to be set out soon after.
He is also likely to promise early moves to block ship to ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth and to review cuts to accident and emergency services. He is also likely to promise early moves to block ship-to-ship oil transfers in the Firth of Forth and to review cuts to accident and emergency services.
'Over the moon''Over the moon'
A spokesman for the first minister said: "The first minister's statement will be about the aims and objectives of the government. The previous Scottish Executive scrapped tolls on the Erskine Bridge over the Clyde, saying the move would ease congestion on river crossings in nearby Glasgow.
"It is not a legislative programme statement, it is more of a clear setting out from the first minister, one week on from his election, on how the government intends to govern." But the then Transport Minister Tavish Scott had argued that removing the Forth and Tay tolls could have the opposite effect, while increasing carbon emissions at the same time.
That executive also abolished the controversial Skye Bridge charges, after buying it back from its private owners for £27m.
The new government also wants to scrap tolls on the Tay Road Bridge
A spokesman for the campaign group, the National Alliance Against Tolls Scotland (Naats), said: "If the removal of the tolls is confirmed those who have campaigned many years for this will be over the moon.A spokesman for the campaign group, the National Alliance Against Tolls Scotland (Naats), said: "If the removal of the tolls is confirmed those who have campaigned many years for this will be over the moon.
"It will remove an injustice for those in Fife and on Tayside. It will also benefit the rest of Scotland, as declaring a toll free nation will be a boost to tourism and inward investment.""It will remove an injustice for those in Fife and on Tayside. It will also benefit the rest of Scotland, as declaring a toll free nation will be a boost to tourism and inward investment."
A spokesman for Mr Salmond said: "The first minister's statement will be about the aims and objectives of the government.
"It is not a legislative programme statement, it is more of a clear setting out from the first minister, one week on from his election, on how the government intends to govern."