Forth Bridges Forum - Meeting 55 - Minutes - 17 September 2025

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Attendees

  • John Andrew (JA) - Chair Transport Scotland
  • Scott Lees (SL) - Online Transport Scotland
  • Alastair Camelford (AC) - Online Transport Scotland - Rail
  • Karen Stewart (KS) Forth Bridges WH and Tourism Lead
  • Dave Bishop (DB) BEAR Scotland
  • Caroline Warburton (CW) – Online VisitScotland
  • David Sinclair (DS) City of Edinburgh Council
  • Jane Findlay (JF) – Online Fife Council
  • Alastair McFarlane (AM) - Online Network Rail
  • Mark Watson (MW) Historic Environment Scotland

 Welcome and Introductions

  • JA welcomed all to meeting 55 of the Forth Bridges Forum.

Apologies, Minutes of Previous Meeting and Actions

  • Apologies: Hugh Gillies, Chris Clark - Transport Scotland; Gordon Brown – West Lothian Council; Neil Christison – Visit Scotland; Gavin Brown – City of Edinburgh Council; Carol Connolly, John Mitchell – Fife Council; Alan Ross – Network Rail; James Bruhn – Historic Environment Scotland; Gillian Laurie – BEAR Scotland
  • Minutes of previous meeting held on 17 June 2025 were agreed and subsequently published.
  • Action points were reviewed and updated as follows:

Action 47 2.4 – FBF ministerial briefing – Ongoing

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 5.5 – 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

Forth Bridges Forum – update by JA

  • FBF Terms of Reference – approved at previous meeting – ministerial update to include ToR and WH Management Plan update.
  • Recent Events – WH 10th Anniversary celebrated in early July – Cab Sec attended event on 3 July 2025.
  • Future Events – Barnardo’s Your View FB event - Fri 19 – Sun 21 September 2025
  • BEAR QC Doors Open Day – Sat 27 September 2025
  • CHSS FB Abseil – Sun 28 September 2025
  • FRB Supernova – Sat 1 November 2025
  • QC 10th Anniversary – 04 September 2027 – Anniversary Planning Group meetings from early 2026 – JA Action

Ensure no disruption to Traffic Scotland during the Supernova event this year, car parking, access etc – SL comment

Traffic Scotland and Transport Scotland have attended all event planning meetings this year. – DB comment

All great events – make most of events publicity for FBF and local area – SL comment

  • 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. Ongoing action – JA to arrange meeting to discuss options
  • Ongoing actions from meeting;
  • Archive materials – details required for WHM Plan – donations of further materials
  • Bruce Grewar Archive – to be digitised and maximise materials we have – storage for future archive
  • Looking out for any further materials

Bridge Operations

Forth Road Bridge Operation and Projects – update by DB

  • Temporary Traffic Management – all works to be completed by 31 October and TTM removed
  • Ongoing works include:
    • Grillage painting and refurbishment
    • Underdeck works
    • Works on approach viaduct
    • Main cable inspection
      • Positive results
      • No significant deterioration
      • Cables remain in good condition
      • Dehumidification having positive impact
      • Full results will be available Spring 2026
    • Bearing replacement
    • Dehumidification refurbishment
  • Future schemes include lateral thrust main tower strengthening and bearings replacement in Summer 2026. Paint trial taking place later this year.
    • Queensferry Crossing Operation and Projects – update by DB
  • Overnight closures programme
  • No large projects
  • Ice accretion events – full procedures in place
  • Full barriers trial programmed for 2nd week in November 2025
  • Full set of forecasting tools now operational and fully prepared for winter service.
    • Forth Bridge – update by AM
  • No major works are underway at present.
  • Maintenance works currently underway through the CP7 maintenance contract with Balfour Beatty include troughing repairs.
  • Inspections programme continue through AMEY contract and primarily are abseiling with some minor scaffolding works possibly required.
  • Waterproofing trial is underway on the North Approach Viaduct following complaints of dirty water from North Queensferry residents. Trials include the use of different products to assess the best option to provide a solution.
  • Bridge collision strike assessment works are ongoing following the Baltimore Bridge collapse. Report being finalised and discussions continue with Forth Ports to assist best risk mitigation solution.
  • 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 (FBE) – AM provided an update.
      • The scope of the FBE has been scaled down as low as possible but the budget is still causing affordability concerns. Property team are presently drafting a business plan with proposals to be delayed until at least CP8 which will push any activity back until at least 2030.
      • Would there be anything that can be shared with the FBF was followed be an extensive discussion. There is significant demand for the FBE and requires investigation on potential additional sources of funding. Existing funding would only enable a more basic option. Further funding should be investigated and additional funding opportunities are being sought. Paper should be written to reflect additional funding sources and a partnership approach.
      • Network Rail is developing a paper for further discussion through the Property Team. Network Rail to be asked to make contact for a further discussion and review of the paper ahead of discussions at the next FBF. – Action AM
      • Further discussion on the potential for additional funding and if a Trust arrangement or an arm’s length operating company could also assist and would be potential options to bring in other funding steams.
      • Could additional funding be sourced, not available from other budgets due to revenue risk.
      • It was raised that it is not only Network Rail’s responsibility to deliver the FBE and it was important to continue dialogue and to maintain momentum to ensure this remains a live opportunity.
      • It was confirmed that the FBE proposal will be included in the revised WHMP as part of the public consultation process from end October 2025.
      • It was raised that funding budget figures were made available following further discussions, and that any other options should be investigated.
      • It was agreed that a potential partnership approach should be investigated and this should include a different business model.
      • A meeting is to be arranged to share details from the paper and further discussions held to brainstorm potential funding options.

Tourism Sub Group – Update by KS

  • 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. Long term and sustainable funding requires to be agreed and included in the refreshed management plan. Discussions ongoing to agree funding model JA JB
  • Tourism Strategy Review - Delivery Plan 2024 - 2029 – Six key actions agreed
  • Work continues to encourage cruise liner passengers to stay in SQF. Urgent update required on the reopening of the SQ Museum.
  • Events planned for FB area, including Barnardos Your View event, CHSS Abseil, Doors Open Day and Supernova. All added to Events list.

World Heritage Management Plan Working Group – Update by KS

  • World Heritage Coordinator Role, see item 5.2
  • World Heritage management Plan Review – Working group established. Pre-draft consultation completed. Goal is to have draft management plan agreed for public consultation during late 2025 with a sustainable funding model in place.
  • MOU and funding to be agreed as part of the Management Plan review.

ACTION: Arrange meeting to agree funding model, JA/JB Action

WH Management Plan Review – KS provided a detailed review of the progress on the revised plan and the principle action plan points raised during the online consultation process.

  • Pro 1 – Maintain Partnership Agreement – has been revised and renewed on an annual basis.
  • Pro 2 – Climate Vulnerability Index – progressing, to be completed by 2029.
  • Pro 3 – FB Lighting – Lighting will get worse before it gets better. Solutions and costs being investigated to convert to LED. Alternative power sources under review, wind, solar etc. Report will be prepared for discussion. Spend will be included in CP8.
  • Pro 4 – FB Paint finish – performing well – positive feedback – future recoating will be unlikely to be on a similar scale to the recent restoration. Minor works planned in CP8. This is a good news story. FRB also has a painting programme, details from FB performance should be shared. DMRB painting specification does not last as well. Paints – base coats adhere well given surface treatment to base steel. Details to be shared with NR – Kenny McAlpine. Technical meeting to be arranged to discuss further – JA Action
  • Con 1 – Monitoring – Ongoing.
  • Con 2 – View Cones – under review but in good order. Some planning matters to be reviewed and actioned as necessary.
  • Con 3 – Disaster Management Plans - Well evidenced – Ship collision planning progressing well, report in preparation. Risk preparedness. Stonehaven land slip derailment and Tay Bridge train fire - lessons learned to be shared on stranded trains and recovery procedures.
  • Pre 1 – Vegetation Management – Progressing to key areas.
  • Pre 2 – Maintenance of Pathways and Viewpoints – under review and key actions to be prepared.
  • Pre 3 – Maintenance Compounds – Necessary to continue maintenance operations but continued monitoring required.
  • Pre 4 A&B – FB Experience – see discussion above for further proposals and context.
  • Pre 5 – 3D modelling – Progressing discussions with HES to redefine availability and uses for maintenance and education activities.
  • Pre 6 – Anniversaries – Planning continuing for future programme of events. Planning progressing for QC 10th Anniversary on 2027.
  • Pre 7 – UNESCO Trail – Ongoing development and comms activity to continue presence.
  • Pre 8 – Museums etc – Discussions ongoing to develop future strategy and options for use of existing buildings.
  • Pre 9 – Walking and cycling – Development continuing.
  • Pre 10 – Digital Presence – Continuing use of online materials and regular updates.
  • Pre 11 – Tourism Delivery Plan – Continuing development and proposals to commence collections and research group for physical and digital collections.
  • Pre 12 – ESES Regional Partnership – Development continuing.
  • Com 1 – Active and public travel options – Ongoing
  • Com 2 – Existing Stations – Dialogue with Scotrail required.
  • Com 3 – Debris issues – Principally NQ below North Approach. Proposals and dialogue progressing
  • Com 4 – Public Events – Further programme of events to be prepared
  • Fut 1 – Education Programme – Support to continue
  • Fut 2 – Collections Group – Collections group to be reformed and database prepared.
  • Fut 3 – Research Policy – Research Group and policy to be prepared.
  • Fut 4 – Awareness – Development to continue
  • Man 1 – Website – To be maintained and developed.
  • Man 2 – WH Coordinator – MoU to be prepared and approved.
  • Man 3 – WH Management Plan And Coordinator Funding – MoU and long term sustainable funding to be confirmed, approved and actioned.
  • Man 4 – Terms of Reference – FBF and Subgroups to confirm ToR’s in place.
  • Timetable and milestones were discussed and approved by the meeting.
  • Discussion Points and working group next steps were agreed by the meeting. Plan for sign off and format for the public consultation were discussed and agreed so this can proceed.
  • KS was thanked by the meeting for the progress to date and agreement was given for the next stage in the development of the Management Plan process. Each partner was asked to confirm formal sign off required for the final plan following the public consultation. Feedback will be provided at the next meeting.

Communications 

  • The Quarterly Forth Bridges website analysis report will be shared at the next meeting.
  • Details from the enquiries received via FBF mailbox will be shared at the next meeting.

Any other business

  • For awareness the South Queensferry High Street Improvements will commence in October 2025 and will continue in phases over the following 18 months.
  • BEAR Scotland’s Doors Open Day event this year on Sat 27th September will focus on the Queensferry Crossing.
  • The cruise liner programme of visits will increase in 2026 and will be in excess of 40 - 50 which will be more than in 2025.
  • Public Meeting – SL asked if a public meeting will be arranged to discuss the Management Plan and also SQ High Street Improvements etc. JA will make arrangements for a meeting on 9 December in the CEC, further details will be provided. Next FBF will be arranged to tie in with the public meeting so that FBF members can attend.

Date of next meeting – 09 December 2025 – time TBC

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Published Date 14 Jan 2026 Type Mode of transport