Scotland's Finance Secretary, John Swinney, has said the new Queensferry Crossing will be toll-free.

The £1.4bn structure is due to open in 2016.

Mr Swinney confirmed the news at the SP conference, adding that as long as there was a nationalist government at Holyrood, there would be no charge.

Tolls on all road bridges in Scotland came to an end in February 2008, and Mr Swinney said the decision to cease the tolls from the Forth and Tay Bridges had led to commuters saving up to £233 per year.

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He also spoke of the significant boost the project was bringing to the area.

He explained: "The Queensferry Crossing – the biggest infrastructure project in a generation – is helping the people of Fife with jobs, apprenticeships and contracts for local companies. It is being delivered on time – and it is being delivered under budget.

"And when it opens in 2016, and for as long as we are in government, I guarantee, there will be no tolls on the Queensferry crossing."

The new crossing is being constructed to replace the existing structure over the Forth which has deteriorated. It links both Edinburgh and Fife.

(JP/CD)