Toll collectors on the Forth Road Bridge are being verbally abused by drivers taunting them about job losses when the charges are scrapped, The Herald can reveal.

Bridge officials say their staff have faced abuse on a daily basis since the Scottish Government announced its plans to abolish tolls on the Forth and Tay crossings.

Ministers want their Abolition of Bridge Tolls Bill to become law by the end of the year, with the tolls removed early in the new year.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) estimates that it will have to lay off 40 of the 100 workers.

Members of the Scottish Parliament's Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee are carrying out an inquiry into the government's plans, and will today take evidence from representatives of the Road Haulage Association (RHA).

In its written submission, the organisation says: "One issue that many do not consider is the human cost to those who will be made redundant.

"Many of the toll collectors have had verbal abuse since the abolition announcement and this is undeserved. These people were only doing their job and did it to the best of their ability."

Phil Flanders, the RHA director for Scotland and Northern Ireland, last night admitted that his organisation's members were among those abusing the Forth Bridge's 38 toll collectors.

He said: "A lot of cab drivers were revelling in the fact that they wouldn't have to pay tolls any longer and have been rude and obnoxious to staff.

"These people don't deserve it because they are only doing their job. It's not nice that they've been treated in this way."

A Feta spokeswoman confirmed that staff have been on the receiving end of abuse from drivers.

She said: "Toll collectors on the Forth Road Bridge are doing their jobs in a climate of uncertainty about their futures.

"Since the first announcement of the abolition of tolls, they have faced daily abuse from bridge users.

"Many of these men and women have served much of their lives and are public servants who deserve understanding, not cruel ridicule."

The Herald has also learned that some drivers have been taking out their frustrations on workmen carrying out repairs on the bridge.

A source said: "Some people have been stopping their cars and throwing stuff at the workers, or shouting abuse at them.

"It's been an unfortunate by-product of the campaign to remove the tolls."

Meanwhile, Feta warned that the government may have to find more money to pay for essential maintenance on the bridge.

Ministers have pledged to replace the money raised from tolls - which is nearly £12m on the Forth Road Bridge - with a direct grant from the public purse.

But in a submission to Holyrood's Finance Committee, which is also scrutinising the bill, they warn that work on the bridge can often run millions of pounds over budget.

Feta says: "As parliament seeks to replace toll revenue, it is vital that a flexible financing structure is established that takes into account the unique, variable, long-term nature of the bridge's maintenance programme."