By Aileen Robertson

BUILDING A new Forth crossing on time and on budget should be higher priority than creating an iconic structure, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has said.

Fife FSB chairman David Chalmers warned against creating a “grandiose structure to massage the egos of decision-makers.”

It follows Scott Barrie MSP’s comments at the weekend that the new crossing should be more than a “functional, bog-standard” bridge.

However Mr Chalmers welcomed the announcement last week that Labour, with the backing of the Liberal Democrats and SNP, is committed to a new bridge at Queensferry before the Forth Road Bridge reaches the end of its projected lifespan.

After an inspection of the bridge’s main cables, which showed evidence of progressive corrosion, the Forth Estuary Transport Authority concluded heavy goods vehicles may have to stop using it by 2013.

Mr Chalmers said, “Once all the reviews are complete, work should commence as soon as practically possible.

“It was also heartening to see that the principle of abolishing tolls on both Forth and Tay bridges was accepted.

“However, the call for an iconic new bridge was perhaps less welcome.

“Apart from a recent trend to overuse the word iconic, whether it relates to anything worthwhile or not, there has to be very careful consideration and public debate about the type of crossing.

“I believe it would be fair to say that the majority of business people would be happy with a project that was practical, cost-effective, delivered on time, and on budget.”

Mr Barrie, of Dunfermline West, said the project should match the vision and ambition of the Victorians who created the Forth Bridge.

However Mr Chalmers said, “It may be that a tunnel just to the west of Rosyth docks would be more practical, and very possibly less costly.

“We must certainly consider all the options and particularly what will be the best outcome for Scotland.

“We also have to consider the local employment prospects when building a new crossing.”

He asked if any British companies could take on the job, or if it would “fall to a European or Japanese company” and demanded consultation from the Scottish Executive before a contract is awarded or a price is set.