Scotland's road bridges will be toll-free in less than two weeks.

Scotland's road bridges will be toll-free in less than two weeks.

Transport minister Stewart Stevenson today signed an order scrapping tolls on the Forth and Tay bridges at one minute past midnight on February 11.

The date has been agreed with both the bridge authorities. and follows royal assent being given to the legislation scrapping the tolls.

The minister said: "We said when we came into power that we would bring an end to tolls on Forth and Tay bridges, and less than nine months into government, that is exactly what we have done.

"Today marks the end of years of injustice for the people of Fife, Tayside and the Lothians, and I am delighted that in just a few days time travellers across the bridges will no longer have to pay tolls.

"There will now be equality on all bridges in Scotland and I am sure this announcement will be welcomed by people across the country."

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority and Tay Road Bridge Joint Board remain responsible for managing the bridges, spending money provided direct from the Scottish Government.

The Tay board is also getting a one-off grant of £14.8 million to allow it to repay all outstanding loans.

Feta convener Tony Martin said: "Confirmation of the date means we can now press ahead with the practical arrangements.

"Our preparations are well in hand and we're eager to move into this new era."

Dundee Lord Provost John Letford, who chairs the Tay Bridge Board, said the decision to scrap the tolls was widely welcomed by the travelling public and local business.

"Removing the tolls will also bring benefits in reducing congestion and pollution in Dundee as bridge traffic will no longer have to queue at the toll booths during the evening rush hour," he said.

The legislation scrapping tolls on the two bridges - £1 for cars on the Forth bridge and 80p on the Tay - was the first main piece of legislation by the new SNP administration.

It was backed by Parliament on December 10.

Tolls on the Skye Bridge were abolished in December 2004 and on the Erskine Bridge in May 2006.