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Daily Record
5 hours ago
- Daily Record
The Scottish bridge that was the world's most expensive crossing before toll was scrapped
Scotland has more than 500 bridges but few have caused quite as much uproar as this one. Scotland is home to hundreds of bridges, with crossings throughout the country linking islands and spanning rivers and lochs. But few of them sparked as much national attention, and outrage, as the Skye Bridge. With 577 bridges across the country, Scotland plays a key part in the UK's total of 3,680 structures that connect towns, cities, and regions. Among the most iconic are the trio of bridges across the Firth of Forth near Edinburgh and Glasgow's Kingston Bridge on the M8. But it was the Skye Bridge, which links the Misty Isle of to the mainland, that once held the title of the most expensive bridge in the world to cross, The Mirror reports. Opened on October 16, 1995, the Skye Bridge was built by Scottish firm Miller and designed by German engineering company DYWIDAG Systems International, in partnership with Arup. Its main structure is a sweeping concrete arch supported by two piers, stretching from the mainland to the smaller island of Eilean Bàn, and then to Skye itself. Eilean Bàn, meaning 'White Island', plays a central role in the structure, as it is the land upon which the main arch of the bridge rests. The island is home to a 21-metre-high lighthouse that sits just beneath the arch. Before automation in the 1960s, lighthouse keepers lived in the cottages on the island. These were later purchased by the renowned naturalist and author Gavin Maxwell, best known for his work with otters and his celebrated book Ring of Bright Water. Today, Eilean Bàn is a protected wildlife reserve, managed by the Bright Water Trust. One of the cottages now houses the Maxwell museum, a faithful reconstruction of Maxwell's 40-foot living room containing original artefacts. The museum was recreated with the help of Virginia McKenna from the Born Free Foundation. The entire bridge stretches 1.5 miles, and the central arch rises to a height of 35 metres, offering 30 metres of clearance at high tide for passing boats. Before the bridge's construction, which cost around £28million, Skye residents had to rely on the ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin, often queuing for hours during peak seasons. Though the bridge improved access to Skye, its tolls triggered a storm of controversy. Charges rose from just 40p to an eye-watering £11.40 within a decade, making it the most expensive crossing in Europe, and at one point, the world. Local humour reflected public anger, with the crossing getting an unwanted tag from islanders: 'The Skye Bridge – the only place in the world where you get mugged AND get a receipt!' The backlash led to the formation of a protest group, Skye Bridge Against Tolls (SKAT), who argued the tolls were extortionate. Campaigners claimed the operating company collected over £33million in tolls, despite the bridge's running costs being just £3.5million. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. After years of protest, the tolls were finally scrapped on December 21, 2004. The Skye Bridge now stands as a vital connection between island and mainland. After the Skye Bridge toll was scrapped, few remained across Scotland - and they followed suit in the years afterwards. One of the country's most-used crossings, the Erskine Bridge, remained as a toll road until March 31, 2006, at which point traversing the River Clyde there became free. The Forth Road Bridge and the Tay Road Bridge both had their tolls scrapped on February 11, 2008. Scotland no longer has any toll roads or bridges.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Most expensive bridge in the Europe' that caused outrage over toll fees
The Skye Bridge is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, which connects mainland Scotland to the Isle of Skye. The bridge was the scene of controversy over the fees charged to use it The UK is home to some of the world's most impressive bridges, with iconic structures such as Scotland's Queensferry Crossing, and the Humber and Tyne bridges. With a total of 3,680 bridges, they provide vital links between regions and cities across the country. Scotland alone boasts 577 bridges, one of which sparked public outrage due to the toll fees charged for its use. This bridge quickly earned the title of the world's most expensive, until the charges were eventually abolished. The Skye Bridge, which opened to the public on October 16, 1995, connects the island to the mainland, reports the Express. Simple airport duty free trick to bag cheaper beauty and alcohol before arriving Construction began in 1992, led by Scottish company Miller, but the design was the work of German engineering firm DYWIDAG Systems International, in partnership with civil engineering company Arup. The main structure is a concrete arch, supported by two piers, linking Skye to the small island of Eilean Bàn, with the remainder of the bridge extending level to the mainland. Spanning a total distance of 1.5 miles, the main arch stands approximately 35m high, allowing a clearance of 30m for boats at high tide. The bridge offered a faster and more efficient route for locals to reach the mainland. Before its construction, which cost an estimated £28 million, residents faced lengthy queues during the summer months for the ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin on the Isle of Skye. The decision to impose a toll for crossing the Skye Bridge, which escalated from a mere 40p to an eye-watering £11.40, sparked outrage among the public, earning it the title of Europe's priciest bridge. Locals often quipped: "The Skye Bridge - the only place in the world where you get mugged AND get a receipt!" Skye and Lochalsh residents didn't take long to rally together, forming the protest group Skye Bridge Against Tolls or SKAT. After relentless campaigning, the authorities finally caved to the pressure, scrapping the tolls on 21 December 2004. Protesters alleged that the firm running the bridge had raked in over £33 million from tolls, dwarfing the bridge's operational costs pegged at £3.5 million.
