Margaret Smith MSP welcomes crossing, backs tunnel

14/2/07


Following the Scottish Cabinet’s approval for a new crossing over the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh West MSP Margaret Smith gave her support for a further crossing and advocated the building of a tunnel as the most prudent option. The Transport Minister Tavish Scott MSP has confirmed three possible corridors for the crossing.

Margaret Smith MSP said, “Myself and South Queensferry councillor George Grubb met recently with Tavish Scott , the Transport Minister , to discuss the need for a further crossing over the River Forth. We put forward the view that a submerged concrete tunnel was likely to be cheaper, could be available a number of years earlier than a new bridge and would have less impact on Queensferry and West Edinburgh. While I accept the need for a further crossing, I am concerned that a further bridge would have to come in at the Springfield / Echline area , would lead to increased traffic and reduced air quality and would have a detrimental impact on the quality of life of local residents and the potential for the long awaited development of the Port Edgar marina.

Pre cast tunnels are in place in more than 100 locations world wide and a Forth Tunnel built further upstream would be able to connect into the proposed Rosyth bypass on one side of the river and the motorway network on the other allowing a better streaming of road traffic over the river. The Transport Minister assured us that both the tunnel and bridge options were being looked at by engineering consultants and that final decisions about the type of crossing, its location and funding mechanism would be taken in the Summer”.