The Erskine Bridge Tolls Extension Order 1996
Section 4(1) of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 limits the period during which tolls may be levied by the Secretary of State in respect of vehicles using the bridge to twenty years beginning on 2nd July 1971, the date on which the bridge became open for use by traffic. Section 4(3) of the Act empowers the Secretary of State to direct by order that the 20 year period be extended, or (as the case may be) further extended, by five years if he is satisfied that the total revenue produced by the tolls is likely to fall short of what would be required to repay the cost, including future costs, of building, maintaining and operating the bridge, all as set out in Schedule 2 to the Act. In 1991 an Order was made extending the 20 year period by 5 years. This Order further extends the period during which tolls may be levied by another 5 years from 2nd July 1996 to 1st July 2001.