Battle rages over Forth Bridge
A
cross-border battle is raging over the funding of the
new Forth Bridge.
There is agreement from the UK and Scottish governments that a new bridge is needed, with the threat that the bridge might have to close to heavy traffic in the medium term and to all traffic long term.
What is in question is how it should be funded? The Scottish Government does not have any borrowing or fundraising powers. Its proposed solution was to bring forward income from future years, but the UK government – holder of the purse strings – has said “no”.
The current Forth Bridge would be closed and dedicated to public transport under the latest plans
So the question of funding is unresolved. And it is a big question £1.7 to £2.3 billion to be precise.
But is there not an even more fundamental question? Will the project result in any significant improvement?
The existing over-congested Forth Bridge has two lanes either direction.
The cut-price plan for the new Forth Bridge was announced by the Scottish Transport Minister last month. By narrowing the bridge to (wait for it), two lanes in either direction the Scottish Government have cut between £1.5 and £0.9 billion off the original £3.2 billion price.
The existing bridge, it is proposed, would be closed to all traffic other than public transport.
There is agreement from the UK and Scottish governments that a new bridge is needed, with the threat that the bridge might have to close to heavy traffic in the medium term and to all traffic long term.
What is in question is how it should be funded? The Scottish Government does not have any borrowing or fundraising powers. Its proposed solution was to bring forward income from future years, but the UK government – holder of the purse strings – has said “no”.
The current Forth Bridge would be closed and dedicated to public transport under the latest plans
So the question of funding is unresolved. And it is a big question £1.7 to £2.3 billion to be precise.
But is there not an even more fundamental question? Will the project result in any significant improvement?
The existing over-congested Forth Bridge has two lanes either direction.
The cut-price plan for the new Forth Bridge was announced by the Scottish Transport Minister last month. By narrowing the bridge to (wait for it), two lanes in either direction the Scottish Government have cut between £1.5 and £0.9 billion off the original £3.2 billion price.
The existing bridge, it is proposed, would be closed to all traffic other than public transport.
So, other than removing a few buses, the entire traffic load will be squeezed into two lanes as at present!