Whether it will undertake studies to assess the impact of the elimination of Erskine Bridge tolls on congestion on other Clyde crossings.

The Executive made a commitment in our transport white paper, Scotland’s Transport Future, to carry out a two-phase review of the tolled bridges in Scotland. Phase One of the review, which included an examination of the effect that various changes in tolls on the Erskine Bridge would have, is complete and available on the Executive’s website at http://www.scotland.gov.uk/library5/enterprise/tobr-00.asp.Phase Two of the review is now underway. The terms of reference for Phase Twospecifically include an assessment of the impact that any change in tolls onthe Erskine Bridge would have on congestion and the local environment, in a way that achieves an optimum outcome without having a detrimental impact elsewhere in the local area.