By Steve Bargeton, political editor

THE CRUCIAL decision on whether to build a new bridge across the Forth will be made by Easter.

Ministers are waiting for the results of investigation into corrosion on the main cables of the existing road bridge that could mean the Forth road bridge is closed to heavy traffic in just seven years.

That decision will be made in principle by mid-April.

If ministers opt for a new bridge further decisions will be made on whether it will carry both road and rail, whether it will be tolled and how high the tolls might be and whether it will be paid for from taxation or a PPP scheme.

Breaking the news, transport minister Tavish Scott said, “There will only be a decision in principle because of all the other work that needs to be done.

“You need to look at all the engineering studies and all the aspects of it, including finance and so on, and once we know how precise and authoritative the original findings were on corrosion before we know exactly where we are.

“There’s a lot of stages to go through, but the reality is that these issues are coming together, particularly the factors of corrosion, and to assess to make sure that we plan properly we are going to have to take all that together.”

In a debate on the bridge in Parliament yesterday MSPs urged the Executive to press ahead with a new bridge as a matter of urgency.

Mr Scott took the opportunity to refute claims made by Chancellor Gordon Brown that there would be no increase in the £1 bridge toll.

“I want to be very clear, decisions about the toll crossings are a matter for Scottish government and Scottish ministers will make those decisions and no-one else.”

At First Minister’s Questions SNP deputy leader Nicola Sturgeon accused Kirkcaldy MP Mr Brown of telling lies.

“It seems Labour politicians leave any notion of truth behind when they cross the Forth bridge into Fife. Isn’t it the case that we have a First Minister saying a proposal is still on the table, yet Gordon Brown insists on the pretence that that proposal has been dropped?” she said.

Ms Sturgeon added, “Isn’t it the case that most people would describe that quite simply as a lie?”

During the bridge debate Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser threw his party’s weight behind a new bridge, “It is now almost universally accepted that we will need a new Forth crossing otherwise the economy of Fife and the east of Scotland will face meltdown within 10 years.

“Given that the bridge manager Alistair Andrew estimated it would take 11 years to build a new bridge, work must start now.”

The Tory proposal is for a new toll bridge to be constructed, and once it was completed the present bridge could be used by motorists free of charge.

Mid Scotland and Fife SNP MSP Bruce Crawford told MSPs that tolls should be frozen at £1. He added, “It is time for the First Minister and the Liberal transport minister to stop hiding and come clean about their real intentions.”

Labour Central Fife MSP Christine May said the case for a new bridge had been made.