This did speed things up for them, but some people argued that they were not given the option to turn round and not pass through the barrier, and they were charged without actually passing through. One woman, who was an Australian, gave her address in Australia. The policeman then had to go and phone the Procurator Fiscal for advice. The police said unofficially to SKAT that if any foreign nationals were wanting to do a non-payment run, that it would be easier if they had a UK address to give them, as if they had no UK address, they could technically be taken into custody to appear at Court the following day. More evidence of tourists arriving, seeing the price, and turning back has been emerging.
People obviously think differently between paying a fiver for a ferry and for a bridge.
We are trying to gather evidence to present to the Scottish Tourist Board, to show that the bridge and excessive tolls is having a detrimental effect on tourism, even at this time of year. This will be multiplied a hundredfold come summer. Gavin Scott-Moncrief, one of the Highland councillors and founder member of SKAT , gave us some interesting news. As most people in Scotland probably know, the M74 is busy being upgraded to full motorway from Glasgow to Carlisle. The Government are to put in place on that stretch of road a 'shadow' toll.