TOLLED BRIDGES REVIEW: PHASE ONE REPORT - 29 OCTOBER 2004:
9.2 Consultation letters
LETTER to MSPs - Phase One
REVIEW OF TOLLED BRIDGES - PHASE ONE
In the Transport White Paper published on 16 June 2004 I announced our arrangements for taking forward our Partnership Agreement commitment to review existing bridge tolls in Scotland.
The Transport White Paper (paragraph 4.24) explains that it is our intention to carry out the review in two phases. The first phase will deal with existing tolls. It will assess all tolls, including the way in which potential changes to tolls could help achieve our environmental and economic objectives of reducing pollution and congestion. The Terms of Reference for Phase 1 of the review are attached. We are aiming to complete this phase by the end of the summer.
To help us undertake Phase One, we want to draw on the expertise and experience of those people and organisations closely associated with the tolled bridges. These will include the bridge authorities, chief transport officers of relevant local authorities, Mobility Access Committee Scotland (MACS), and those MSPs with interests in the bridges.
The information gathered from Phase One will help to inform any early decisions that may be taken on tolls. We will then, with this information, move onto Phase Two. This will include an examination of the broader issues, relating to the management, operation and maintenance of the tolled bridges. This will also include an assessment of how the toll bridges relate to the new regional and national transport arrangements. We will be undertaking further consultation during this phase, and seek views from a broad range of organisations. This second phase should be completed in time to allow the management of the bridges to be smoothly incorporated into the new Scottish Transport arrangements.
I would be very grateful if you would participate in the review. Written comments on the issues relevant to Phase 1 should be submitted to the Bridges Review Team, Transport Division 1, 2D, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ by 31 August 2004. If you wish to meet with the review team over the summer to discuss Phase 1 issues please contact Robert Galloway on 0131 244 5095 or Robert.Galloway@scotland.gsi.gov.uk.
Your views and comments will be collated and considered in production of the Phase 1 Report.
My thanks in anticipation of your assistance on this important issue.
NICOL STEPHEN
LETTER to OTHER CONSULTEES - Phase One
REVIEW OF TOLLED BRIDGES - PHASE ONE
In the Transport White Paper published on 16 June 2004 I announced our arrangements for taking forward our Partnership Agreement commitment to review existing bridge tolls in Scotland.
The Transport White Paper (paragraph 4.24) explains that it is our intention to carry out the review in two phases. The first phase will deal with existing tolls. It will assess all tolls, including the way in which potential changes to tolls could help achieve our environmental and economic objectives of reducing pollution and congestion. The Terms of Reference for Phase 1 of the Review are attached. We are aiming to complete this phase by the end of the summer.
To help us undertake Phase One, we want to draw on the expertise and experience of those people and organisations closely associated with the tolled bridges. These will include the bridge authorities, chief transport officers of relevant local authorities, Mobility Access Committee Scotland (MACS), and those MSPs with interests in the bridges.
The information gathered from Phase One will help to inform any early decisions that may be taken on tolls. We will then, with this information, move onto Phase Two. This will include an examination of the broader issues, relating to the management, operation and maintenance of the tolled bridges. This will also include an assessment of how the toll bridges relate to the new regional and national transport arrangements. We will be undertaking further consultation during this phase, and seek views from a broad range of organisations. This second phase should be completed in time to allow the management of the bridges to be smoothly incorporated into the new Scottish Transport arrangements.
I would be very grateful if you would participate in the review. If you wish to get in touch with the review team please contact Robert Galloway on 0131 244 5095 or Robert.Galloway@scotland.gsi.gov.uk , or by post at Transport Division 1, 2D, Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, EH6 6QQ.
My thanks in anticipation of your assistance on this important issue.
NICOL STEPHEN
REVIEW OF TOLLED BRIDGES
Terms of reference- Phase One
Building on the Partnership Agreement and White Paper commitment to a review of existing toll bridges in Scotland, the terms of reference (scope) for Phase One of this review are to produce:
- A summary of existing toll regimes, identifying the history of each toll regime, financial performance and projected costs for future operations and maintenance
- Conduct a stakeholder analysis and develop a consultation process for both phases of the review
- Identification of any significant environmental and economic issues (particularly pollution and congestion), that link to the tolls
- Modelling of the past, current, and future trends of traffic levels, differentiated by time of day/day of week/season (including identification of future developments that may impact on traffic levels)
- An analysis of the implications of removing the tolls, reducing the tolls; maintaining the status quo; increasing the tolls; differential toll by time of day, car occupancy, vehicle class etc
- Outline how above options for changes to existing toll regimes may impact on Ministerial environmental and economic objectives and commitment to improve access for rural communities
- Summary of the main policy, financial and legal implications of making any change to the tolling regime
- Scope and project plan for the second phase of review to cover broader issues relating to management operation and maintenance of tolled bridges and wider consultation