By Charlene Kelly

PLANS FOR a rise in tolls on the Forth Road Bridge have been put on hold after a disgruntled commuter from Glenrothes demanded a public inquiry.

Tolls were due to increase from 80p to £1 at the start of October but a formal complaint from George Campbell has forced the Scottish Executive to launch an inquiry.

Last night Mr Campbell vowed to stand by his view that an inquiry should go ahead.

George Campbell, (57), a technical assessment officer from Glenrothes, said he does not think the public should pay for the rise, or indeed any tolls.

He said, “It’s disgraceful that we should be made to pay to cross not just the Forth but any bridge in the UK.”

Mr Campbell added, “I pay my road tax so why should I be penalised for crossing a bridge? Central Government pays for Britain’s main roads so why not bridges too?

“The toll was bad enough as it was but now they want to increase it by 25%, from 80p to £1 and it’s just not on.

“If I cross Kincardine Bridge which also crosses the Forth estuary, I can do so for free.

“I only really use the Forth Road Bridge about twice a month and even then I use the park and ride facility but it is the principle of the matter.”

In his formal letter of objection to the Executive, Mr Campbell said, “The bridge is currently generating tolls of £9 million plus per annum and now you have the effrontery to demand more.

“I consider this out rageous and believe that my objections should be considered at a local inquiry.”

But Mr Campbell’s views have been criticised by bridge bosses who say that the delay on the increased charges, which could be anything up to five months, could cost £1million and damage major investment plans.

Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) manager, Barry Coulford said, “Obviously we have a capital programme and it will affect that capital programme.

“It also means schemes such as the Ferrytoll park and ride site and the new link road to Rosyth will be affected.

“We are not going to recoup that money and the difference between 80p and £1 will amount to about £180,000 a month or probably nearer £200,000.”

Fife Council’s FETA convener, Councillor Mike Rumney, added, “The Scottish Executive should simply overrule this objection, as I understand it has come from an individual who isn’t purely objecting to the toll increase but to the whole principle of bridge tolls.

“Until such time as the Scottish Executive comes back with a review of all tolls on all Scottish bridges, they should overrule this. They have the powers to do so.

“This proposed increase is important to FETA’s future plans for the Forth Road Bridge and is crucial to our financial commitments. These financial commitments include the maintenance of the bridge.

“We are also committed to large-scale projects to attempt to tackle congestion around the bridgehead area. Any delay in the projected toll increase could also delay these projects.”

Mr Campbell says he is disappointed in the lack of support and urged more people to air their views on the matter.

“You hear people moaning about it all the time but they never do anything about it,” he said.

“I took action and wrote a letter and I don’t think there’s anything wrong in sticking up for what you believe in—we’re supposed to live in a democracy after all.

“I also don’t believe I should be held accountable for any costs that this inquiry will incur because I don’t believe we, the public should be paying to cross the bridge in the first place.

“If you compare this to the cost of Scottish Parliament which was originally supposed to cost £30 million but ended up costing £431million, then there’s my argument for any politician who disagrees with my views.”

Mr Campbell said that although he is glad his objections are being considered, he was not prepared for how much fuss they would cause, just as he was not aware of the fact that if any objector asks for a public inquiry into any price rise, the Executive is bound by a law, dating back to 1958, to hold one.

“I can’t believe the commotion,” he said.

“I thought I would be the last in a long line of people complaining about the bridge toll increases—not the only one!”

A Scottish Executive spokesman said, “We expect a public inquiry to be held in November.

“The independent Reporter’s findings will then be submitted to ministers for a final decision on the proposal.”

Mr Campbell has been given eight weeks to fully research and submit his objections to the Executive.