Transport Scotland insists £2.3bn Forth bridge project 'on track'
Transport Scotland says it has no concerns over funding for the £2.3 billion Forth Replacement Crossing.
The planned new crossing.
- By Paul Reoch
- Published in the Courier : 07.07.10
- Published online : 07.07.10 @ 09.00pm
Concerns had been raised in some political quarters about the future of the project — particularly from the Green Party, who argue that the decision should be delayed.
However, Transport Scotland — the national agency responsible for trunk roads, rail and national concessionary travel — moved to address these fears by stressing that all the plans for the new bridge are "on track."
A spokesman said, "The first stage of the Forth Crossing proposal has been fully supported by the Scottish Parliament and progress will continue next year. We are keeping to the timetable.
"It had almost unanimous support from MSPs and there is no question about its funding."
He continued, "The Forth Crossing proposal is working its way through the Scottish Parliament and we expect it to stay on course."
John Swinney, Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth, said a raft of schemes, including the Forth crossing, will help safeguard jobs and create new job opportunities.
"It's imperative that this government continues to invest in our transport infrastructure right across the country to help support economic growth and accelerate recovery," he said.
"That's why I'm delighted that significant progress is being made in bringing new transport schemes across the length and breadth of the country to the marketplace.
"Three more schemes worth tens of millions have in the last few days reached key milestones. Competition is now under way for the award of a contract worth some £20 million for an Intelligent Transport Scheme (ITS) to the north of the Forth Replacement Crossing.
"Tenders have been issued for an £8 million road improvement scheme in the south west on the A77 at Parkend — one of the key strategic routes to our ports. And in the north of the country, tenders have been issued for a £9 million road scheme on the A9 at Crubenmore — part of our commitment to dualling Scotland's longest trunk road from Perth to Inverness."
The announcements build on the recent investments in other major projects which are already in procurement.
Mr Swinney added, "The competition for the M9 junction 1a upgrade — another part of the Forth Replacement Crossing scheme — was launched last month.
"The works, which are expected to cost between £46 million and £65 million, are expected to start in July next year.
"Both this and the Fife ITS contract are elements of the economically vital FRC scheme, but also significant contracts in their own right."
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