Forth Bridges Forum - Meeting 54 - Minutes - 17 June 2025

Attendees

Apologies: Hugh Gillies, Scott Lees, Alastair Camelford - Transport Scotland; Gordon Brown – West Lothian Council; Caroline Warburton, Neil Christison – Visit Scotland; David Bishop – BEAR Scotland; Carol Connolly – Fife Council, Alan Ross – Network Rail
Minutes of previous meeting held on 22 October 2024 were agreed and subsequently published.
Action points were reviewed and updated as follows:

Action 43 5 –WH Coordinator Role – Complete

Action 47 2.4 – FBF ministerial briefing – Ongoing

Action 47 5.1 – Terms of Reference review – Complete

Action 48 4.6 – CEC use – Ongoing

Action 51 8.1 – Revisit FB Experience Business Plan – Ongoing

Action 51 8.3 – Network Rail pass engagement with NQCC to BEAR – Ongoing

Action 51 9.1 and Action 53 8.1 – Beamer Rock – Ongoing

Action 53 3.6 – Jacobs ladder – See item 3.4

Action 53 4.3 – North Approach issues – Ongoing

Action 53 5.2 – New tourism group and T of R – Complete

Action 53 5.3 – WH Coordinator and Tourism role – Complete

Action 53 5.5 – FB Trail signage maintenance – Ongoing

Action 53 5.8 – Visitor stats on FRB and viewpoint – Ongoing

Action 53 6.1 – WHMG secretariat – Ongoing

Action 53 6.5 – Collections and Research – Ongoing

Action 53 8.2 – Overflow car park NQ – Ongoing

Action 53 8.3 – SQ viewpoint public toilets – Ongoing

Updated Forth Bridges Forum attendees confirmed. Attendees list to be reviewed periodically.
FBF Terms of Reference shared prior to meeting. Ministerial update will follow.
Engagement with QDCC – Mapping exercise complete 2024. BEAR will arrange an update meeting shortly.
Jacobs ladder – investigation into overall responsibility and funding of repairs ongoing. JA suggested arranging a meeting to discuss with Network Rail and CEC ACTION JA will arrange to have a meeting to discuss.

Ongoing works include: Grillage painting and refurbishment
Works on approach viaduct
Main cable inspection
Traffic Management arrangements will be off end October
Future schemes include lateral thrust main tower strengthening and bearings replacement in Summer 2026. Paint trial taking place later this year.
Supernova event planned for 1 November 2025. FRB full closure for event from Fri 31 October to Sun 2^nd Planning meetings ongoing.
- Queensferry Crossing Operation and Projects – update by BS
FCBC bearing works complete
Architectural lighting upgrade scheme final snagging ongoing. KS asked if there would be a press release when lighting scheme is complete
A closure of QC due to an ice event resulted in an actual diversion on 25 November 2024. This had been predicted, and the diversion was successful. It is likely a further trial will be arranged before this winter.
- Forth Bridge – update by AM
Maintenance works currently on forth Bridge include (AM provide wording please) Scaffold for access for examination and inspection will be present on the bridge.
Bridge deck trials for water run-off in NQ, evaluation will continue for the next six months
Environmental checks ongoing with community engagement in NQ
Longer term – paint is approaching the 20 year life span. There has been very little degradation so any future works likely to be phased.
- Forth Bridge Experience – AM will discuss the latest business plan with Network Rail colleagues and share with group. ACTION AM

Forth Bridges Tourism Strategy Review presented to group.
KS now in new role, Forth Bridges World Heritage and Tourism Lead. 12 month contract until December 2025. Funding to be agreed and included in refreshed management plan. Discussions ongoing to agree funding model JA JB
Tourism Strategy Review - Delivery Plan 2024 - 2029 – Six key actions agreed
Updates on FB trail signage, FB website and social media. Designline contract for social media has ended with KS now managing all social media accounts.
Pre-season tourism business meeting was held April 2025 with good attendance.
Work continues to encourage cruise liner passengers to stay in SQF. GB agreed and will provide an update on SQ Museum.
Events planned for FB area, including 10^th anniversary of FB World Heritage site, Barnardos YourView, CHSS Abseil, Doors Open Day and Supernova. All added to Events list.

World Heritage Coordinator Role, see item 5.2
World Heritage management Plan Review – Working group established. Pre-draft consultation live until 30^th Goal is to have draft management plan agreed for public consultation Autumn 2025 with a sustainable funding model.
MOU and funding to be agreed as part of the Management Plan review.

Last periodic reporting was two years ago. The WHMG is now more prepared for reactive reporting now KS in role.
Collections and Research fits within the management plan. A robust collection policy is crucial.
The 10^th anniversary of World Heritage Inscription is on 5^th July 2025. Exhibition in CEC organised and talk on Celebrating Industrial World Heritage is on 3^rd

The Quarterly Forth Bridges website analysis report was shared. Wind and weather events continue to be behind website peaks.
23 enquiries received via FBF mailbox January – March 2025. A drop from 62 in Quarter 4.

KS suggested that a public meeting would be beneficial around October. Arrangements will be made.
BEAR Scotland’s Doors Open Day event this year on Sat 27^th September will focus on the Queensferry Crossing, GL will share plans with KS
As part of BEAR Scotland’s contractual requirements for social value, alongside Doors Open Day, BEAR have also sponsored Queensferry High School’s robotics challenge, donated to Echline Primary for an improved playground and assisted with bunting for Dalgety Bay, Kirkliston Gala days and will assist with Queensferry Ferry Fair.

Date of next meeting – 16 September 2025

Published Date 24 Dec 2025 Type

Mode of transport