35,000 more drivers use Forth Road Bridge in first toll-free week

TRAFFIC on the Forth Road Bridge soared in the week after tolls were abolished, official figures show.

Nearly 35,000 extra vehicles used the crossing after charges were lifted on 11 February, compared with the previous week.

The greatest increase occurred the following Sunday, when numbers were up by 15 per cent – nearly double the overall increase over the week.

However, traffic levels fell back last week, when they were 3 per cent higher overall than before tolls were scrapped.

Some motoring groups and traffic experts said the figures appeared to confirm predictions that removing tolls would increase traffic.

However, bridge officials said it was too early to draw conclusions.

The figures from the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta), which runs the bridge, show total traffic increased from 448,000 vehicles in the week before tolls were abolished to 483,000 the following week, but fell back to 461,000 last week.

Tolls, including £1 for cars, were charged northbound only.

Neil Greig, the Scotland director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists' Motoring Trust, said rush hour on the bridge appeared to be extending.

He said: "It is hard to comment on long-term trends with such a short time sample and without figures for the 'real' rush hour.

"However, these figures do seem to suggest traffic is spreading out beyond the traditional peak hours. This is no surprise as traffic levels at peak times are at saturation levels, and even the temptation of a free crossing is unlikely to lead to drivers wanting to sit in a long queue."

One traffic expert said northbound weekday traffic had increased by nearly 5 per cent over the two weeks since charges were abolished.

However, Bruce Young, of the Association of British Drivers, said: "People do not create journeys just because they no longer have to pay £1 to cross."

Feta urged caution over the figures. Tony Martin, its convener, said: "It's probably too early to draw any conclusions. Weekend traffic has been higher than normal, but I'd be wary of jumping to conclusions based on two weeks' data. Aside from the abolition of tolls, other factors such as school holidays, roadworks and the weather have all had an effect in recent weeks."

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: "Early indications suggest removing tolls has helped improve the traffic flow. It can take some time for traffic flows to settle into new patterns."