from Sunday Herald, 23 September 2007
The Scottish government's transport agency is considering demolishing the Forth Road Bridge - at a cost of nearly £130 million. A report by Transport Scotland, released under freedom of information law, reveals that consultants have been asked to estimate the cost of dismantling the entire 43-year-old structure.
The study was part of extensive investigations earlier this year into a Forth Replacement Crossing, which is being backed by the Scottish Government. Consultations are now under way on whether to build a new bridge or dig a tunnel because of fears over the corrosion of the existing bridge's cables.
In a report produced in June, experts from Jacobs and Faber Maunsell calculated that the total cost of demolishing the deck, the cables, the towers and the approach viaducts of the current bridge would be likely to come to £128.57 million.
According to Transport Scotland, such a drastic course of action is still an option. "A decision is yet to be taken on the future of the current Forth Road Bridge," said a spokeswoman for the agency. "Further evidence on the state of the current crossing will inform the future decision."
The Forth Estuary Transport Authority is examining whether it might be possible to protect old cables by drying them out, or whether they might need to be replaced. Ministers are waiting on the authority's findings before deciding on the bridge's fate.
But this isn't expected to affect plans for a replacement crossing. "Concern over the future viability of the existing bridge and the results of the Forth Replacement Crossing study mean that we need to act now to protect the future of cross-Forth travel," said the Transport Scotland spokeswoman.
The report on the cost of demolition was obtained by Friends of the Earth Scotland, who question whether a second crossing is really necessary. "The fact that ministers can put a figure on demolishing the bridge, but don't know how much repairing the cables on the existing bridge would cost, shows the decision to build another crossing was entirely premature," said the environmental group's chief Executive, Duncan McLaren.
"Ministers must wait until they have the costs of repairing the current bridge until they make a final decision. To do otherwise would be to jump the gun and put taxpayer's money in jeopardy."
Terry Levinthal, the director of the Scottish Civic Trust, pointed out that the Forth Road Bridge had been designated as a Category A Listed Building. That meant it was regarded as a structure of international importance which would require the permission of ministers to destroy.
"It is reasonable to work out how much demolition would cost", Levinthal said. "But it is almost inconceivable that the idea would be seriously entertained by any of the major players."
Unlike the road bridge it seems the rail bridge is lasting really well, all in all a quality build
Posted by: Fred Dawson | 27 September 2007 at 06:28 PM