'Daft' name for Forth crossing not up for public discussion
The public are to be denied a say in naming the new Forth road crossing, it has emerged.
Artist's impression of the proposed crossing.
- By David Clegg, political reporter
- Published in the Courier : 11.02.11
- Published online : 11.02.11 @ 07.32am
The Scottish Government has insisted the £2.3 billion bridge will simply be called the "Forth Replacement Crossing."
The "daft" decision was revealed in a letter from the SNP's transport minister Keith Brown to Labour's Mid Scotland and Fife MSP John Park.
Mr Park had urged the government to set up a public consultation on what the new £2.3 billion crossing will be called. But he has now received a response from Mr Brown dismissing the idea and insisting the bridge will simply be called the "Forth Replacement Crossing."
"The project has been named Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) since 2006 when the Forth Replacement Crossing Study was carried out to investigate the various crossing options available to replace the existing Forth Road Bridge," said Mr Brown, the MSP for Ochil.
"Our focus at present is on completing procurement and preparing for construction to ensure the FRC project is delivered on time and within budget in 2016. There are no plans to change the project's name."
Labour have described the refusal as a "snub" to Fife because Keith Brown had said he was "elated" after a public consultation to name the replacement Kincardine Bridge in 2008.
Mr Park described the decision to stick to the title Forth Replacement Crossing as "just plain daft."
"It may not be the biggest issue right now, but we do need a proper name for the bridge," he said. "Calling it the Forth Replacement Crossing is just plain daft. I asked the SNP transport minister to facilitate a public consultation to name the new bridge, but he has refused. Clearly he thinks he knows better.
"But he himself campaigned for the same kind of public consultation for the new bridge in his constituency. It is hypocrisy but typical of ministers who have been in office so long they stop being in touch with what the rest of us think."
Final proposals for the replacement crossing (FRC) — the biggest Scottish infrastructure project for a generation — were submitted to Scotland's transport agency last month.
Construction of the bridge, upstream of the Forth Road Bridge, is expected to start soon after the contract is awarded and be completed in 2016.
- Can you do better? Submit your ideas for a name in the comments below or email news@thecourier.co.uk
08.53am - 11.02.2011 Steve Lowrie - Dundee, City of Dundee Report This
That's fairly boring, boring, boring. I reckon it should be called 'The Highland Gate'.
11.33am - 11.02.2011 Lucy - Dumfries, Scotland Report This
what aboot "Angel of the Forth"?
02.23pm - 11.02.2011 Daz Hales - Koblenz, Germany Report This
How about "Hope my cables last longer"?
11.34pm - 11.02.2011 Joe - Dundee, Scotland Report This
How about 'The Fifth Bridge'
11.59pm - 11.02.2011 Ian - Galashiels, Scotland Report This
I suggest officially naming it the New Forth Bridge - for the simple reason that we'll all end up calling it that anyway!
12.04am - 12.02.2011 Caomhlin - Perth, Scotland, UK Report This
Typical SNP, talk up being open and transparent, only to come up short once again.<br /> There's no need to panic: it will be given a proper name when Scottish Labour get in. And I'm sure it won't have some stupid Braveheart logo, either.
09.36am - 12.02.2011 Mike Stirling - Forfar, Scotland Report This
It would be FaRciCal to leave it un-named. Kingdom Bridge anyone?
09.38am - 12.02.2011 mrs wilma purdie - glenrothes, scotland Report This
How about The Third Forth Bridge.
07.55pm - 12.02.2011 Jim Clark - Carmyllie, Scotland Report This
Why not look at how the US names bridges and roads after famous people or events. The bridge could be King Robert the Bruce Bridge or Northern Gateway Bridge similary the A9 Perth to Inverness could named The Highland Gateway Parkway - other routes could be similarly renamed
10.56pm - 16.02.2011 Andrew Robertson - Forfar, Angus Report This
We need imaginative, foresighted and thinking people like this to lead us, don’t we?
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