1Power to levy tolls
(1)The power to levy tolls conferred by section 1(1) of the Erskine Bridge Tolls Act 1968 (c. 4) (“the 1968 Act”) is to be regarded as having been and as being exercisable, during the period of five years beginning on 2 July 2001, as if an order had been made (and had come into operation) under section 4(3) of that Act further extending the period which ended immediately before that date.
(2)Accordingly, it is declared, for the removal of doubt, that—
(a)the order made under section 2 (toll orders) of the 1968 Act (S.I. 1992/433); and
(b)the regulations made under sections 5 (securing payment of tolls), 7 (removal of stationary vehicles) and 9 (prevention of damage) of that Act (S.I. 1989/530),
which were in force immediately before that date continued and continue in force.
(3)The references in subsections (3) and (6) of section 4 of the 1968 Act to a period extended by an order or orders under that section include references to any period which ends together with the period of five years referred to in subsection (1) above.
(4)The power conferred by section 6(1) of the 1968 Act to suspend the tolls leviable is deemed to have been exercised by the Scottish Ministers so as to suspend the levying of tolls generally from 8.50 pm on 30 August 2001 until the date on which this Act comes into force.
(5)Every—
(a)instrument made under a provision of the 1968 Act and in force immediately before 2 July 2001 (except those specified in subsection (2) above or one made under section 4(3) of that Act); and
(b)provision of that Act having effect then (except those referred to in subsection (3) above),
shall be regarded as having continued and as continuing in the same force and effect.
(6)Nothing in subsections (2) or (5) above prevents the variation or revocation of the order, regulations or instruments referred to in those subsections.
(7)Nothing in this Act makes criminal any act or omission occurring before it comes into force.