Scottish bridge tolls — historical PCN time-bar and abolition
Most Scottish bridge tolls have been abolished (Forth, Tay, Erskine — Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Act 2008). Any post-abolition penalty claim is unlawful. Pre-abolition unpaid-toll claims that resurface are time-barred under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 (5 years for ordinary debts).
Legal basis
Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Act 2008; Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 s.6 (5-year prescription for obligations)
How to identify this in your case
Date of crossing vs date of toll abolition. Date of claim vs 5-year window from any pre-abolition crossing.
Sample appeal wording
Dear Sir/Madam, Re: Penalty Claim [REF] — [Bridge] — [DATE] I dispute this claim. 1. Tolls on [Forth Road Bridge / Tay Road Bridge / Erskine Bridge] were ABOLISHED with effect from 11 February 2008 by the Abolition of Bridge Tolls (Scotland) Act 2008. Any claim for an unpaid toll for a crossing on or after that date is unlawful. 2. To the extent the claim relates to a pre-abolition crossing, it is time-barred. Under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 s.6, an obligation to pay arising from a debt prescribes after 5 years. I do not acknowledge any debt. Please cease enforcement action and confirm in writing the matter is closed. Yours faithfully, [NAME]
Replace [PARKING DATE], [NtK DATE] etc. with your own dates before sending.
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