AS DRIVERS negotiated another contraflow at the Forth Road Bridge over the weekend, operators have warned current maintenance is merely “palliative.”

Forth Estuary Transport Authority has taken on board findings of a study commissioned by the South East Scotland Transport Partnership (SESTRAN). As a result, FETA is even more convinced the long-term solution to trans-Forth congestion is building another crossing at Queensferry. But the issue has divided FETA boardroom opinion.

On Friday, FETA repeated their intention to build a “multi-modal” bridge “capable of carrying trams, with dedicated lanes for buses and cars carrying more than one driver.” But earlier last week, FETA convener Lawrence Marshall was reported as saying it would “never” carry trams and the idea was being used as a “Trojan horse.”

Mr Marshall echoed the Green Party in calling for improved rail links instead.

FETA has tried to address this. Its Local Transport Strategy (LTS) includes plans to provide two extra trains per hour from Fife to Edinburgh “via Edinburgh Airport” within 5-10 years but an airport rail link would have to be built before this could go ahead.

Bridgemaster Alastair Andrew said, “With the bridge now 41 years old and traffic levels rising inexorably, we are carrying out more frequent and more complex maintenance programmes on the bridge.

“I found it particularly telling that the SITCoS (SESTRAN Integrated Transport Corridors Study) report warned we would find it difficult to conduct even routine maintenance without a new crossing. And that even if all the short and medium-term recommendations were implemented, their palliative effects would be exhausted by 2011.

“As the report concludes, we must take a balanced approach so people’s travel needs are met, but we must ensure demand for travel is controlled sufficiently so road traffic to and from Edinburgh rises no faster than the underlying rate of growth.”

At the last FETA meeting Mr Marshall reiterated the need for more public transport options for commuters.

He said, “The SITCoS Study supports FETA’s recently adopted local transport strategy. FETA worked closely with the SITCoS consultants in drawing up our LTS and vice versa.

“The SITCoS report points out—as does the FETA LTS—that it is futile to provide additional unrestricted road space, but better to manage any growth in cross-Forth travel. It’s more of a carrot-and-stick approach. We need to give travellers more options such as better public transport and car-sharing, while considering also the possibility of higher peak period tolls for driver-only vehicles.

“We all recognise the challenges facing the bridge from increasing traffic and heavier loads. These need to be addressed in ways which meet the legitimate social, economic and environmental aspirations of our communities around the Forth.

“In particular, FETA is committed to minimising the impact of any new traffic travelling towards Edinburgh city centre. This, and the impact on villages along the A977, will be key to feasibility studies into any new crossing.”