Managing the Forth’s future

The main outcomes from the Bill, passed by the Scottish Parliament today, include:

  • Twin bridge management to provide operational efficiency in managing the existing Forth Road bridge and the new Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC)
  • Estimated savings of £6 million over five years from the opening of the FRC
  • Use of the exisiting Forth Road bridge for public transport, cyclists and pedestrains.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said:

“The Forth Road Bridge Bill is a step forward in managing the future of transport across the Firth of Forth. We will now take forward a robust tendering process to ensure that the high quality of service delivered by the current operators FETA continues and is improved upon where possible.

“Existing FETA staff will transfer over to the new operating arrangements, bringing with them a range of experience and expertise to contribute to refreshed operational efficiency, improved capacity and safety in the future of the Forth Road Bridge.

“Tendering for the Operating Company Contract for the Forth Road Bridge and the Forth Replacement Crossing is the next stage. At the heart of this contract will be a requirement to engage with the local community to ensure that their views shape and influence the future of cross Forth transport.

“The Forth Road Bridge will continue to play an important role in the future of sustainable transport and will be used by public transport, cyclists and pesdestrians when the Forth Replacement Crossing opens.”

Notes to editors

Background

  • The Bill allows for the Scottish Government to contract for a single operating company for the management and maintainence the Forth Road Bridge and the new Forth Replacement Crossing, including the connecting roads from the M90 Junction 3 Halbeath to the M9 junction 1A
  • The Bill makes the road over the Forth Road Bridge a trunk road which means, like all trunk roads in Scotland, it comes under the Scottish Government‘s management
  • The Bill also transfers all of FETA‘s property and liabilities to the Scottish Government, and dissolves FETA
  • FETA’s employees transfer directly into the employment of the Bridge Operating Company and the Bill ensures the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006 (the TUPE regulations) apply to the transfer.
  • Once the new Forth Replacement Crossing opens a range of important maintenance operations on the Forth Road Bridge can be carried out during the day time with lower costs and minimal traffic management or disruption.

Contact: Transport Scotland Press Office : 0141 272 7195

Published 23 May 2013