A FIFE Liberal Democrat MSP could hold the future of the tolls across the Tay in his hands, writes Steve Bargeton.

And yesterday at the SNP spring conference in Dundee Andrew Arbuckle was warned his actions would be “under the microscope.”

Last month Mr Arbuckle, who has campaigned against tolls on the Tay for 20 years, voted against an SNP motion at Holyrood to scrap them.

Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford is preparing a private Member’s Bill to revoke or amend the laws which underpin the collection of tolls on the Tay and Forth bridges.

Mr Crawford expects that his Bill will have to get the backing of the Holyrood local government and transport committee to proceed.

There are nine members of the committee—four Labour, two SNP, one Tory, one Scottish Socialist and one Liberal Democrat, Mr Arbuckle.

With the four Labour members voting for the Executive position and the others voting in favour of removing tolls on the Tay, Mr Arbuckle—who is also a member of the Tay Bridge Joint Board—would have the casting vote.

And during a debate on the tolls yesterday Mr Crawford warned Mr Arbuckle that his every move would be carefully watched.

“Andrew Arbuckle is on the local government and transport committee,” he told delegates.

“He would have the casting vote.

“We will be looking very carefully at what he does. We have you under the microscope,” he said.