Smith and Grubb campaign for Forth tunnel

15/3/07

Margaret Smith MSP and South Queensferry Councillor George Grubb met recently with Tavish Scott, the Transport Minister, to discuss a further crossing over the River Forth. They put forward the view that a 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.

Margaret said, “I am very concerned that a bridge would have a massive impact on Springfield / Echline. It would also lead to more traffic, would have a negative impact on the quality of life of residents and would threaten the long awaited development of the Port Edgar marina. George added, “A Forth Tunnel built further upstream would be able to connect into the proposed Rosyth bypass on one side and the motorway network on the other allowing a better streaming of road traffic."

The Transport Minister assured them 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.

Margaret Smith MSP has also written to the Chief Executive of Transport Scotland asking for an immediate meeting with technical advisors to discuss the technicalities of different options, to raise issues of concern and to ask for a public exhibition in order to improve consultation. She has also written to the Transport Minister to again raise her concerns about the effect that a bridge will have on the local area. Furthermore, she has tabled a parliamentary question:

To ask the Scottish Executive what plans they have to consult with and involve the communities of South Queensferry and West Lothian in the decisions about the type and location of a further Forth crossing.

To learn more about the campaign and to sign a petition, please go to:
http://campaigns.libdems.org.uk/tunnel4queensferry