By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THERE WAS anger and disappointment at Holyrood last night at revelations that the Forth and Tay Road bridges could soon be the only tolled roads in Scotland.

Yesterday The Courier exclusively revealed that ministers are set to abolish tolls on the Erskine Bridge but fix them at no more than £1 on the Tay and Forth crossings.

Yesterday at Question Time First Minister Jack McConnell confirmed that momentous decisions about the future of tolling on the bridges would be considered by Cabinet next week.

Among Fife and Tayside MSPs across the political spectrum there was disappointment at the prospect of the Tay and Forth bridges remaining tolled, and pledges to fight that decision if confirmed next week.

Dunfermline West Labour MSP Scott Barrie said, “It is disappointing, if it is true, that tolling will remain only on the Forth and the Tay bridges.

“We have seen half the tolled bridges freed. Why is it only Fife that has to pay?”

Fife Central Labour MSP Christine May said, “If the tolls come off the Erskine Bridge but not come off the Forth and Tay bridges I would be disappointed.

“I can see no logic in that. I think my constituents will be disappointed and I will continue to make the case for Fife.”

Dunfermline East MSP Helen Eadie said, “My position is very clear. I have asked for the tolls to be removed from the Forth Bridge for some time.

“And it is logical that if there is a policy to remove tolls on some bridges, they should be removed on all. It is crass in the extreme to make some of the most disadvantaged people in the country pay tolls.”

Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford said, “If tolls are to remain on the Tay and Forth bridges but be removed from the Erskine Bridge only, that shows utter discrimination against Fifers.

“You cannot act in one way in the west of Scotland and in another way in the east of Scotland.

“I hope that before this is decided on by Executive ministers next week, they will reconsider and remove tolls from the Forth and Tay as well.”

Mid Scotland and Fife Tory MSP Ted Brocklebank said, “My views are well known. If tolls come off the Erskine Bridge, it is indefensible to keep them on the Tay and the Forth.

“It is a tax on Fifers and that is indefensible.”

Mid Scotland and Fife Lib Dem MSP Andrew Arbuckle said, “I have said for 20 years I am against the tolls. My current position is that on the Tay, I see no reason at all for a continuation of tolls. Despite current problems, the Tay Bridge is a low-maintenance bridge.

“As regards the Forth Bridge, I would prefer that there were no tolls. But it is a high-maintenance bridge. I await the Executive’s detailed proposals.”

Dundee West Labour MSP Kate Maclean said, “If the tolls come off the Erskine Bridge it would be disappointing if they were not taken off the Tay Bridge as well. If there were no tolls on the Tay Bridge, traffic congestion would ease in Dundee.”

Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Tricia Marwick said, “I have repeatedly raised this point with ministers. It is intolerable to the people of Fife to see tolls taken off the Erskine Bridge and kept on the Forth and Tay bridges.”

Dundee East MSP Shona Robison said, “I think it would be an outrage if tolls remain on the Tay and Forth Bridges but were removed from the Erskine Bridge.

“The people of Tayside, and the Tayside economy, should not be disadvantaged in this way. If it is good enough for Erskine it is good enough for the Tay and Forth.”

North East Fife MSP Iain Smith said, “There is a strong case to say that the time has come for the tolls on the Tay Bridge to be removed, and for the bridge to become part of the trunk road network. I will continue to campaign for that.

“But on the Forth, traffic issues are different and there is a case for retaining tolls.”

Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said, “There needs to be some kind of financial incentive to encourage people to share cars and use public transport if we are to reduce the massive economic damage that congestion causes. Greens are the only party brave enough to tackle congestion, which currently costs the UK economy £20 billion each year.

“Adapting tolls to reduce traffic levels will extend the life of existing bridges and ensure that another Forth crossing is built when it is necessary, not when it is politically convenient.”