Work to upgrade the A8000 got under way yesterday, but there is still debate about who should be paying for it.

The link between the Forth Road Bridge and M8 at Newbridge, regarded as one of the worst bottlenecks in Scotland, is being replaced at a cost of £35.6 million.

Grant aid and under- writing was provided by the Scottish Executive. However the project, which is being managed by City of Edinburgh Council, is being funded by Forth Estuary Transport Authority.

FETA’s use of bridge revenue for such major road works has been condemned by anti-tolling campaigners.

Bruce Crawford, SNP MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said, “Obviously I welcome the beginning of work on the A8000.

“It will make a considerable difference to the experience of crossing the Forth Road Bridge, particularly at peak times.

“However there remains the concern that bridge users will be paying twice in effect for these improvements. Firstly through road tax, but more directly from the bridge tolls.”

“It is effectively a form of congestion charging on Fifers. Why should they be asked to bear the cost?”

While acknowledging the arrangement was not ideal, Labour MSP for Dunfermline West Scott Barrie said using revenue from tolls was the only way the work could have gone ahead.

He said, “Work to upgrade the A8000 has been a long time coming and at last we are beginning to see some progress.

“It is one of the worst bottlenecks in Scotland and causes much of the traffic congestion on the Forth Road Bridge.

“The fact the road is the responsibility of Edinburgh council and given the work is so overdue, using revenues from tolls may be a price worth paying to get it done.

“On one hand it may be unfair to expect hard pressed commuters to fund this, but it is preferable to sitting around waiting for the City of Edinburgh to find the funding and political will to press ahead.”

The stretch of road being upgraded covers four and a half kilometres linking the road bridge with the M9 and M8.

Three kilometres will be motorway standard, with the rest upgraded to dual carriageway. Motorists have been waiting since the 1980s for the stretch of road to be rebuilt.