Greens condemn blinkered report on additional Forth Bridge

For immediate release 12 May 2010

The Scottish Greens today warned against the decision by an ad hoc Committee of the Scottish Parliament to back SNP Ministers' plans for a new road bridge across the Forth. (1) A poll last year indicated that clear majority of the Scottish people, backed by the Greens, favour repairing the existing bridge instead, which would cost a maximum of just £122m, well below the £2,300m starting cost of the new bridge. (2) This announcement also comes on the same day that John Swinney announced that Scotland will see a £600 million cut in its budget, and Greens warned that public transport and other vital capital projects would be threatened if this scheme proceeds.

Patrick Harvie MSP said:

"Once again the other parties at Holyrood have united in a blinkered effort to try and force this deeply unpopular project through. Given how cheaply the existing Forth Road Bridge could be repaired, this plan is a totally unnecessary drain on Scotland's budget just as it comes under the greatest pressure since the beginning of devolution. The key question for Ministers and their supporters is this: why have they backed legislation without a single reference to repairing the existing bridge? It would save a vast sum of money which could be far more effectively used elsewhere, and it's clear that's what the public want.

"I urge colleagues in other parties to let go of their egos, and to think again not only because of the environmental cost of a new bridge, but also the price that would be paid by public transport projects, plus the unnecessary congestion and disruption construction would cause. Finally, they should respect the views of the Scottish people, who are clearly opposed to this pointless project."

YouGov polled 1114 Scottish adults about this issue between the 26th and the 28th of October 2009. The question asked was as follows:

As you may know, the Forth Road Bridge is deteriorating, and action will need to be taken to ensure a continued road link across the eastern Firth of Forth. The Scottish Government has proposed building a new bridge at an estimated cost of up to £2,300m which it will pay for using public Scottish funds, but borrow initially from the UK government in order to help spread the cost.

According to a report by the Forth Estuary Transport Authority, the existing Forth Road Bridge could be repaired, rather than replaced, for an estimated cost of up to £122m.

Those in favour of REPLACING the bridge argue that it needs to be widened, to reduce congestion, and that a new windshield should be built to protect travellers.  Those in favour of REPAIRING the bridge argue that replacing the bridge altogether would put an unnecessary burden on public funds.

Which ONE of the following statements comes closer to your view?
The Scottish Government should REPAIR the existing bridge: 57%
The Scottish Government should REPLACE the existing bridge: 34%
Don't know: 10%