Press Release

SMITH CALLS FOR EXAMINATION OF “ALL THE OPTIONS” FOR FORTH CROSSING

23/2/06

Margaret Smith, Lib Dem MSP for Edinburgh West, has called on the Scottish Executive to look at all possible options for the future of public transport across the Firth of Forth.
Ms Smith was speaking in advance of a statement from the Transport Minister, which will outline the Executive’s position in light of an independent assessment of the state of cabling on the Forth Road Bridge.

The Forth Estuary Transport Association has warned that if dehumidification techniques - aimed at preserving the Bridge’s cabling - are a failure, the structure could be closed to Heavy Goods Vehicles by 2014, and to all traffic by 2019.

Ms Smith said:

“Clearly, the future of the Bridge cannot be properly assessed until a feasibility study, commissioned by FETA and looking at the options for replacing or augmenting the main cables, has been completed. That report is not expected until May or June 2007. If recabling is feasible, this may provide the best value for taxpayers’ money.

“A replacement bridge could take around eleven years to construct. I therefore appreciate that there may need to be exploratory planning work, in case a replacement bridge is required. However, I am equally clear that such work should only be conducted on the understanding that it is quite possible that no new bridge will be necessary.

“A full examination of the possible alternatives to the current bridge should include the construction of a sub-sea road tunnel, starting from a point west of Rosyth. The tunnel option was included in the Setting Forth studies in 1993-96. It should certainly be considered as a possible way forward, with a full examination of its projected cost and construction time.

“Any new bridge would have a major impact on my constituents, since it would almost certainly use land that the Scottish Executive has safeguarded in Edinburgh West. I would not wish to see a large-scale construction project – with all the disruption that would bring – at a cost of up to £1 billion of tax payers’ money, unless it is truly necessary.”