By Steve Bargeton, political editor

MSPs LAST night warned of the “devastating consequences” for the Scottish economy if the Forth Road Bridge has to close for repairs to its main cables.

In a debate at Holyrood they called on ministers to start planning urgently for a third bridge over the Forth. But for the Executive, deputy minister George Lyon made it clear that a new Forth bridge was not Executive policy though the matter would be considered in a strategic review starting in 2007.

Opening the debate in his name, Dunfermline West Labour MSP Scott Barrie said the existing bridge was simply “no longer fit for purpose.”

“Last year it carried over 23 million vehicles—the two Severn bridges carry only a million more than our single bridge,” he said. “We also know that the bridge, now more than 40 years old, cannot last for ever.

“It might not last for another 20 years. So the time to get serious about planning is now.”

Mr Barrie said corrosion on the main suspension cables could have devastating consequences. “More worrying than the increased wear on the carriageway is the integrity of the main suspension cables,” he said.

“Safe for the time being, but investigations have highlighted corrosion of the wires reducing the strength of the main cable.

“We must start planning for what is essentially a replacement Forth bridge. If we don’t we are in serious danger of severing one of the main north-south routes in Scotland.

“There are problems associated with the congestion on the existing bridge, these are minuscule compared to the problems that would be generated with no road across the Forth.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford supported Mr Barrie and highlighted the “abuse” of the bridge which is currently running at over twice its 30,000 vehicle daily capacity.

“The stricture is tired and struggling to live in the fast lane of life today,” he said.

Lib Dem Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Andrew Arbuckle projected 10 years ahead with the bridge facing closure and weight restrictions causing congestion throughout Scotland.

Scottish Tory David Davidson said action must be taken urgently and pointed out that the Forth Estuary Transport Authority said it would take 11 years to get a new structure in place.

“There is the threat that the bridge is closed completely— what will we do then,” he asked.

But his suggestion that cash for a new bridge could come from scrapping plans to extend tram links to Edinburgh airport drew an angry response from some MSPs.

Central Fife Labour MSP Christine May warned that total closure of the bridge would have a “devastating” effect on the Scottish economy. “We do nothing and write off the economic future of Fife and much of eastern Scotland,” she warned.

Edinburgh West Lib Dem MSP Margaret Smith said anther bridge was not the only option and suggested that a replacement main cable might be an option. This, she said, had been successful on the Golden Gate suspension bridge in San Francisco.

Mid Scotland and Fife Green MSP Mark Ruskell was firmly against another bridge.

He said that by 2030 capacity on two road bridges would be exhausted.

The answer, he said, was new rail links to St Andrews and new station at places like Newburgh plus a direct rail link from Edinburgh to Perth.

SNP Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Tricia Marwick said, “Doing nothing is not an option. The bridge is under severe stress at the moment.”

Dunfermline East Labour MSP Helen Eadie, who has raised the issue before, said, “It would have a devastating effect on us if that lifeline to the north of Scotland was closed.”

North East Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Iain Smith said, “It is time to explore all the options. If nothing is done... we could well end up with no bridge at all.”

Kirkcaldy Labour MSP Marilyn Livingstone said the investigation into the cables corroding was “worrying.”

“We need to take a decision about a multi-modal bridge and we need to take it now,” she said. “The impact on the Fife economy of doing nothing would be horrendous.”

Summing up for the Executive, Mr Lyon said Transport Minister Tavish Scott apologised for not being present at the debate, but was detained on a family matter, and he assured MSPs he would brief Mr Scott fully and ensure he had a transcript of the debate.

The minister agreed there were problems with the bridge and that crossings of the Forth were a national issue. He was also keen to stress that the bridge was safe, but made it clear that the Executive would not be rushed on the issue.

“It is crucial that we do not rush into things,” he said.

After the debate Mr Lyon confirmed that consideration of all options concerning moving passengers and freight across the Forth would be part of a strategic study due to begin in 2007.