low graphics version | feedback | help
| Front Page World |
| UK |
| Northern Ireland Scotland Wales |
| UK Politics Business Sci/Tech Health Education Sport Entertainment Talking Point In Depth AudioVideo |
|
 John Morrison reports for BBC Scotland"Tolls would increase by 17.5% next year"  real 28k John Morrison"The commission is not in the habit of losing cases like this"  real 28kAutomobile Association spokesman Neil Gregg"We think this an outrageous example of European bureaucracy gone mad" real 28kMyrna Scott MoncrieffSkye and Kyle Against Tolls spokeswoman explains how the plan will hit islanders real 28k |
VAT threat to bridge tolls
 Tolls would have to rise under EU rules |
Scottish motorists could face increased charges for using toll bridges because of legal moves by the European Commission.
The commission has taken the UK Government to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg for not applying VAT to road tolls.
If the government loses the case, tolls would increase by 17.5% on four Scottish bridges - including the controversial Skye Bridge.
| UK tolls |
 | Skye Bridge - �4.70 winter single/�5.70 summer single |
| Severn Bridge �4.20 westbound only |
| Humber Bridge �1.90 |
| Tamar Bridge �1 |
| Dartford Bridge �1 |
| Forth Bridge 80p northbound only |
| Tay Bridge 80p southbound only |
| Cleddau Bridge 75p |
| Clifton Bridge 20p |
| Aldwark Bridge 8p |
It has told the European Court that the UK Government has not fulfilled its obligation under European Union law.
A spokesperson for the Scottish Executive said it did not accept tolls should be liable to VAT.
However, the commission has a high success rate in cases of this type.
If the commission wins, it poses another problem for the Scottish Executive.
'Another tax'
It has pledged to freeze tolls on the Skye Bridge, which have been staunchly opposed by islanders, for the duration of the contract.
Automobile Association spokesman Neil Grieg said VAT would be another tax on the motorist, particularly in rural areas.
 Skye tolls have always been contentious |
"On the one hand the European community is giving regional development aid to Scotland for tourism and local development but this move will see Scottish motorists paying some of that money back."
Mr Grieg said Greece, France and Ireland were also challenging the levying of VAT on tolls.
"It's interesting that if this move does go ahead it might cost Scottish motorists �30 to drive to the south of France, for instance, so there will be effects across the whole of Europe because of this ruling," he added.
Drivers crossing the Skye Bridge would have to pay an extra �1 and coaches and lorries would have to pay about �5 more.
Tolls on the Erskine Bridge would increase by 10p and by 14p on the Forth and Tay bridges.
| Search BBC News Online | |
|  Advanced search options | |
| |
 | |
 | |
| |
| BBC RADIO NEWS |
| |
| |
| BBC ONE TV NEWS |
| |
| |
| WORLD NEWS SUMMARY |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| PROGRAMMES GUIDE |
| |
See also: | |
 | |
 | 30 Nov 99 | UK |
| Motorists may face EU toll hike |
| |
| 07 Sep 99 | Scotland |
| Drivers 'face more toll costs' |
| |
| 04 Nov 99 | Scotland |
| Roads plans prompt mixed reactions |
| |
| 13 Jul 99 | UK Politics |
| Labour traffic plans 'highway robbery' |
| |
| 16 Sep 99 | Scotland |
| Tories in drive against road tolls |
| |
| 03 Nov 99 | Scotland |
| Motorway tolls U-turn welcomed |
| |
| 04 Nov 99 | Scotland |
| Green light for roads projects |
| |
| |
Internet links: | |
| |
| Royal Automobile Club |
| |
| SNP |
| |
| Scottish Conservatives |
| |
| Scottish Executive |
| |
| Skye and Kyle Against Tolls |
| |
| Automobile Association |
| |
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites | |
Links to other Scotland stories are at the foot of the page.
E-mail this story to a friend
