Campaign success led to major savings

For many years paying to cross the Forth and Tay bridges was a simple fact of life. Motorists living on one side of the spans and working on the other spent thousands of pounds extra every year, just to get to their place of employment.

It was an unfair situation, and so The Courier launched a campaign in a bid to see the charges scrapped.

The ambition was a lofty one and there was, initially at least, considerable opposition.

However, political support steadily grew – so much so that scrapping the tolls became a major manifesto commitment for the SNP in the 2007 Scottish elections.

And so it came to pass that, 10 years ago today, a law was passed to abolish charges for drivers.

It was an historic moment and was celebrated across Tayside, Fife, the Lothians and indeed further afield.

As our analysis shows today, motorists have saved thousands of pounds as a result. Meanwhile, our campaigning – and the ultimate victory – continues to prove an inspiration, with the RAC saying Scotland’s lead in scrapping tolls should be followed elsewhere in the UK.

It may have been controversial to some at the time, but now there appears to be near universal support for free passage across the Tay and Forth, with even the Green Party, who initially opposed the move, saying they do not support a return to charging.

It is an anniversary well worth celebrating.