PROBLEMS WITH the Forth Road Bridge are the single biggest threat facing businesses in Scotland, the chief executive of Fife Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise claimed yesterday.

Alan Russell described the indecision being shown by the four main political parties over proposals for a new crossing as “astonishing” and is urging their leaders to cast aside their political differences and push forward plans for a new road bridge.

He has written to Jack McConnell (Labour), Nicol Stephen (Lib Dem), Nicola Sturgeon (SNP) and Annabel Goldie Conservative) to invite them to discuss a second bridge at a meeting in North Queensferry next month when he will stress the need to act on a new crossing proposal now instead of waiting until after the Scottish elections in May.

The plea comes in the wake of new evidence from the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) on the future of the existing road bridge.

FETA argues that there is strong case for a new multi-modal crossing to be constructed without delay, based on three key factors—uncertainty over the lifespan of the existing bridge; increased maintenance requirements causing traffic disruption; and the continuing rise in demand for cross-Forth transport capacity.

The organisation’s general manager and bridgemaster Alastair Andrew is scheduled to give a presentation of concerns at the meeting on September 21.

He said, “The Forth Road Bridge now carries over 24 million vehicles a year, over double the maximum predicted by the bridge’s designers in the 1950s.

“Maintenance requirements are increasing year on year, and...disruption to traffic will only get worse.”

“The problem is further compounded by corrosion which has weakened the bridge’s main cables.

“If the corrosion cannot be halted, restrictions may have to be introduced as early as 2013.

“Such restrictions could include the barring of HGV traffic.

“With demand for cross-Forth travel predicted to increase, the only long-term solution is a new multi-modal crossing, with dedicated capacity for public transport.

“But the longer we wait, the less time we will have to build a new crossing before restrictions have to be introduced or the bridge has to close.”

Mr Russell said, “Restrictions, such as barring HGV traffic, would send shockwaves throughout the Scottish economy, hindering the movement of goods and people vital to this country’s growth.

“This is more than just a Fife issue—the Forth Road Bridge is one of the main arteries of the Scottish economy and we cannot afford for it to be severed.

“This issue is too important to be used a political football in the run-up to next year’s elections. We simply do not have the luxury of time to wait until next year—this project has to get under way now.”

He continued, “This is a huge plan, because the project will not simply mean the creation of a new bridge; new infrastructure will require to be put in place to connect the new bridge with the rest of the road network.

“We need strong leadership from all the political parties that are committed to growing the Scottish economy and we need decisive action now before events overtake us and our economy is damaged.”