For whom the Bridge Tolls

Wednesday 7th November

The SNPs removal of the Forth Bridge Tolls has one key element for any successful policy, wide spread popular support. And give credit where credit is due. they made a promise and they have kept it. Sometime however, a promise to introduce a policy because it is popular is not enough to make it a policy the right one in the long term

There's no doubt that many felt the injustice of it being a toll bridge when others had become free. But given that it will increase congestion this move will create and as a consequence increased pollution, will anyone, in the end benefit. If drivers have to spend longer on the roads will they even save the £1 they no long have to pay to cross the bridge. was it an injustice so great that it over road the other, negative consequences of making this decision. Not only that, a 10% increase in usage of the bridge will put even more pressure on a bridge that’s already creaking under the strain.

There is no doubt that drivers feel hard done and this is perhaps a way of reversing that perception a little. But as with many of the SNPs policies, a little short term gain will soon be replaced with much more serious long term pain. And its not just drivers that will suffer but everyone, no matter the form of transport being used