THE CENTRAL and west Fife chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses has hit out at the Scottish Parliament’s decision to stage yet another review of bridge tolls.

“They have done it again,” said David Chalmers.

“They have all the information—they are incapable of making a simple decision.

“They are now going to review the reviews.

“If the Scottish Parliament was run like a business—and it should be because our hard earned profits and taxes pay for it —then we are entitled to a decision now.”

Mr Chalmers suggested that, as the minister in charge of what he called a “debacle,” Tavish Scott should land in Aberdeen once in a while, and drive down from there to Edinburgh “to sample the problems the rest of us face.”

“By flying into Edinburgh Airport from his Shetland base he conveniently misses the problems that might slow the progress of the ministerial Mondeo.

“We are growing tired of the specious arguments being put forward to continue tolling,” he added.

“Both the Forth and Tay bridges are long since paid for.

“Any outstanding monies are from revenue expenditure for maintenance, not capital expenditure, and should therefore be paid out of the £46 billion currently collected from road taxes.

“The elections will be with us next year, and unless a firm decision to remove tolls is taken long before then, it will be a case of ‘Now is the time to say goodbye,’ and elect fresh politicians with the courage of their convictions to make a clear and simple decision to ditch the tolls,” he said.

Mr Chalmers added that Scottish business, and Fife in particular, demanded nothing less.