By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE FORTH Road Bridge could close to all traffic within 10 years with dire consequences for the Scottish economy and chaos on the roads.

Yesterday, transport minister Tavish Scott stunned MSPs when he admitted for the first time that the bridge might have to be shut to heavy lorries by 2013 because of corrosion to the main suspension cables, but The Courier understands initial findings from the assessment of the corrosion to the cables indicate the lifespan of the bridge may be no more than 10 years.

In a debate at Holyrood last week, MSPs heard it would take 11 years to plan and build a new bridge if the go-ahead was given now.

Some 66,000 vehicles cross the Forth Bridge every day and around 35,000 people commute across the Forth every working day, mainly from Fife and Tayside.

Last night MSPs demanded the Executive begin planning a replacement bridge immediately.

Mr Scott, who insisted that the bridge was safe and able to carry traffic, announced a “full engineering study” of the bridge would begin in January to be complete by the summer of 2007.

“It is now clear there is indeed some corrosion and further work will now continue into the extent and possible remedial action,” he said.

“I have asked for an independent assessment of FETA’s emerging findings and a full engineering technical study into the condition of the cables.

“I want to emphasise that the bridge is safe and will continue to carry traffic. These are emerging findings on the basis of a limited analysis.

“I stress that these are emerging findings. I will receive advice in January to allow detailed consideration of the options. The full engineering study will be complete by summer 07.”

Mr Scott said the initial view of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority was that, “if action is not taken, or if actions are not successful,” the bridge might close to HGVs in 2013.

It is understood that the bridge would have to be closed to all traffic while any work on the main suspension cables was under way.

A FETA spokesman said, “There are absolutely no safety concerns for people who use the Forth Road Bridge. We are still waiting on our consultant’s report on the main cable and an update will be presented to our board later this month.”

Last night Dunfermline West Labour MSP Scott Barrie, who led a debate in Parliament last week about the future of the bridge, said, “If this is true, this is more serious than I understood at the time of last week’s member’s debate.

“We have known there were problems with corrosion on the main cables.

“However, these reports would suggest it has gone much further.

“I think this just shows that we must start planning for a replacement to the existing bridge.”

Labour colleague Dunfermline East MSP Helen Eadie said she was not satisfied with another survey and would be taking the matter up with First Minister Jack McConnell.

“We can’t afford to wait until January to start another survey,” she said. “Is the transport minister in denial? He must take action now.

“I am very, very concerned and will be taking the matter up with the First Minister.”

Mid-Scotland and Fife Liberal Democrat MSP Andrew Arbuckle said, “In last week’s debate I referred to the complete dislocation of the Scottish economy if HGVs are banned from the bridge.”

Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Tricia Marwick (SNP) said, “The work has got to start now. We hope that the bridge will last long enough for a replacement to be built but there is no guarantee that it will.

“Having another survey is not good enough. Banning lorries on the bridge would have a devastating effect on the economy of the whole of Scotland.”

Central Fife Labour MSP Christine May called for ministers to use new planning laws to fast-track the building of a new bridge.

“I welcome the assessment that the bridge is safe,” she said.

“But what we have heard today adds weight to our debate in the chamber last week.

“Unless action is taken soon we are looking at the devastation of the economy of east central Scotland. We have to have a new bridge and we have to do it under the new planning regime. We cannot spend 11 years building a new bridge.”

Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford said, “Work in a new bridge should have started by now.

“Only a week ago ministers were saying all was well. A week later they are saying that lorries might have to be banned from using the bridge.

“The time has come to stop the studies and start the building.”

Kirkcaldy Labour MSP Marilyn Livingstone said she would be seeking an urgent meeting with the minister.

“This news has left me in no doubt that planning for a new bridge should begin now,” she said.

“Obviously these latest reports are of concern.

“It is imperative for the Fife economy and for the economy of Scotland that we start planning now.”

Scottish Tory transport spokesman David Davidson said, “While I welcome the fact that the minister has taken this step, I am exasperated by the Executive’s foot-dragging on the need for a replacement crossing.

“It has been apparent for some time that the existing road bridge is suffering from chronic over-use and is in dire need of a replacement, and yet the Executive seem totally unwilling to make any firm commitments, or even concede the obvious that a new bridge is required.

“I therefore urge the minister to commission prep-aratory work into a replacement crossing without delay.”