THE FORTH Road Bridge operators are trying to find a buyer for their soon-to-be-redundant tollbooths.

Yesterday, Forth Estuary Transport Authority said it was confident the booths could be sold on, but there is one hitch—they can only be used in countries where people drive on the left.

A FETA spokesman said, “We’re still in negotiations and wouldn’t rule out looking to other countries.

“The problem is most countries drive on the right and without alterations the booths will not be appropriate, but we’re hopeful we can find a buyer.”

Work to remove the booths, unveiled in the summer of 2006 at a cost of £5 million, will get under way tomorrow after the evening rush hour.

The booths were bought by FETA to ensure the safety of tollbooth workers. Made of stainless steel and reinforced with concrete, they have air pumped into them to prevent employees inhaling exhaust fumes.

FETA also invested in a computer hub room and electronic tolling equipment, bringing the total cost of the plaza refurbishment to £8.5 million.

When it emerged tolls were to be scrapped, bridge master Alastair Andrew said he would not have committed to such an outlay had he known what lay ahead.

The toll plaza is now to be given another overhaul, to remove the booths, at a cost of £1.5 to £2 million.

From 7pm tomorrow, contractors will start work ahead of tolls being lifted on February 11, and drivers have been warned to expect delays on the northbound approach to the bridge.

The first phase of the work is expected to be complete by the time the tolls come off the following Monday. It involves removing three tollbooths together with one of the concrete plinths so traffic can flow freely onto the bridge.

After February 11, the remainder of the booths will be removed and a few changes will be made to the bridge approach.

New signs will be installed and the ramp from the Echline roundabout will be widened to accommodate a bus priority lane.

Contractor Raynesway Construction was kept on standby before the tolls abolition date was confirmed so work could commence at short notice, said FETA.

FETA convener Tony Martin added, “We are determined to make a success of the new era after tolls are abolished. There will inevitably be some short-term disruption while the toll plaza is remodelled, but we’re confident traffic flows will improve once the new road layout is in place.”