THE UNION representing staff at the Tay road bridge claimed yesterday that the SNP’s decision to scrap tolls might be a vote winner for the party but meant nothing but uncertainty for those whose jobs are at risk.

The Transport and General section of Unite said that as many as 175 bridge jobs could be in danger across the country when the river crossing levies go.

Regional industrial organiser Sandy Smart said staff were facing a “very worrying time.”

He added, “Axing the tolls has an appeal to the voters but we fear this has not been thought through.

“Not only are the toll collectors’ jobs at risk, without the revenue from the tolls, who will do the maintenance and engineering work and, importantly, who will pay for it?”

Mr Smart’s section represents toll collectors as well as maintenance staff and traffic controllers, some of whom harbour fears that the work will be privatised.

The union official said that could threaten agreements on pay, terms, conditions and pensions. Meetings are planned with Scottish government officials and politicians to discuss the issues and concerns.

The union’s comments echo those of the T&G’s local representative, Colin Coupar, who fears that maintenance work might be done “on the cheap” by the private sector.

He said he hoped that local authorities would be able to redeploy staff who lose their jobs.

Meanwhile Dundee-based MSP Marlyn Glen has asked the Scottish Parliament to say what effect the abolition of bridge tolls has had on traffic flow on the Skye and Erskine bridges.

She said, “This may give us some indication of the likely changes in traffic flow across the Tay road bridge when the tolls are removed.”

The new SNP-led Scottish Executive has already indicated that it will introduce a Bill to abolish tolls on the Tay and Forth road bridges.

Ms Glen said she would be offering her “full support for the removal of an unfair tax against people and communities in Dundee, Angus and Fife.”