8 September 2009
ForthRight Alliance letter: Sheer folly to build an additional Forth bridge
Dear Sir,
Scottish Labour transport spokesman Des McNulty is quite right to promise Scottish Government ministers a "a torrid time" as they seek to justify an unnecessary additional Forth road bridge costing the taxpayers of Scotland at least £2300 million.
The problems of the existing road bridge can be fixed - yet the government plans that it be virtually denuded of its traffic, over 99% of vehicles transferring to the new bridge and rendering the existing bridge the most expensive bus lane in the world.
Whilst overall greenhouse gas emissions in Scotland fell by 6.8% between 2006 and 2007, transport emissions rose by 1% and in fact already amount to more than the total emissions allowable for the whole of Scotland under the 2050 target set out in the Scottish Climate Change Act.
It is sheer folly to build an additional bridge to make this situation even worse - and at the same time dashing the hopes of many communities throughout the land for much more needed facilities whether in the transport, health or education sectors.
It's time everyone - including MSPs of all parties - started to question the flawed and panicked decision of the Scottish Parliament to build another bridge.
Yours sincerely
Lawrence Marshall
Chair
ForthRight Alliance
5 Rose Street
Edinburgh EH2 2RD