NEWS RELEASE
Monday 5th January 2009
ForthRight Alliance urges re-think on 2FRB spending plans
Letter submitted to Scottish newspapers:
Dear Sir,
The current difficulties of the Scottish Government regarding the funding of an additional road crossing of the Forth at Queensferry are easily solved - it isn't needed. Moreover, if built, it will not only result in many other more worthwhile projects being dropped or postponed throughout Scotland but also in the failure of the Scottish Government to meet its own climate change objectives.
The drying of the main cables of the existing bridge is showing "encouraging" results - with FETA "confident" of being able to halt the corrosion at a level where traffic restrictions will not be necessary. Even were cable drying to prove unsuccessful then replacement or additional cables can be fitted over 7 or 8 years at a capital cost of between £91 and £122 million - and, according to a report to FETA in October of 2008, without the bridge having to be closed.
Working to resolve the problems of the existing bridge within easily available budgets should be the top priority of the Scottish Government.
Yours sincerely,
Lawrence Marshall
Chair, ForthRight Alliance