Smith slams Scottish Government U-turn on Forth Crossing

19/12/07

Margaret Smith MSP has slammed the Scottish Government’s decision to construct another bridge across the Forth, after the First Minister said following the election that he was in favour of the tunnel option. Finance Minister John Swinney confirmed in Parliament today that the Government would be giving the go ahead for a further bridge, despite the fact that in an interview in May, Mr Salmond said a tunnel would be “quicker and cheaper”. The Edinburgh West MSP, a long term supporter of the tunnel option also raised concerns about the impacts and costs of the construction of a new bridge across the Forth and the future of the existing road bridge.

Commenting, Mrs Smith said:

“Not only have the Scottish Government admitted that they have not chosen the best option for the environment, they have also completely U-turned on their earlier position. Mr Salmond had quite clearly agreed with me and a number of my constituents in Edinburgh West that a tunnel would be the better option, with a smaller negative impact on the area, but the Government have completely changed their tune.

“It is also deeply concerning that the impacts on the environment and local communities and businesses do not seem to have been seriously considered.

“Following his statement, I pressed the Finance Minister to explain the reasons for the already escalating estimated costs of the project and was disappointed that he was unable to provide a direct response. I’m sure his failure to provide answers to my questions on the future of the current road bridge will also come as a disappointment to many residents of my constituency and beyond.

“I have campaigned hard to ensure that any new crossing could be used by modes of transport other than cars and lorries, so I was pleased to hear the Finance Minister commit to a bridge suitable for multi-modal public transport ‘in principle.’ However, given the Scottish Government’s record of keeping their word on this, and other issues, it remains to be seen if this will actually happen in practice.”

Read the Finance Minister’s statement and Margaret’s response in full >>