Rennie and Tolson question wisdom over announcement for Forth Bridge tender (Paisley Liberal Democrats)

Paisley Liberal Democrats <smcdonald21@ntlworld.com>

Rennie and Tolson question wisdom over announcement for Forth Bridge tender

June 15, 2009 11:27 AM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Transport for Scotland last week announced that the tendering process for Scotland 's biggest infrastructure project, the £2 billion Forth replacement crossing, will go out later this month. West Fife MP Willie Rennie and Jim Tolson MSP however, have questioned the wisdom of announcing the start date for the tendering process before a funding package for the bridge has been agreed.

The tendering process will begin at the end of the June. Companies will be given until the end of November 2010 to register their applications, with the successful candidates being announced in early 2011 and work set to begin that year.

The contract itself will be divided into three parts. The main section will be the bridge itself and the immediate approach roads. The second part will be for junction 1A on the M9 while the third part will be for the IT, which will be based in Fife and will include aspects such as overhead displays.

Commenting Mr Rennie said:

"It's all well and good announcing the start date for the tendering process, but unless a funding package can be put in place soon, this will be another example of the SNP putting the cart before the horse.

"The longer the uncertainty over the funding continues the greater the concern will be in Fife - especially in the business community who need a guarantee that Fife will not be cut off.

"Given the SNP's track record, I simply don't buy their promises that they have the funding in place. But now they've started the ball rolling, they need to come up with money to get our bridge built.

Commenting Jim Tolson MSP added:

"The Scottish Government's Scottish Futures Trust is completely discredited. Tens of millions of pounds have been spent on this Quango and it hasn't delivered a 'hill of beans' far less a new Forth crossing.

"Only by pushing forward the Calman Commission's claim for borrowing powers for the Scottish Parliament is there likely to be any real progress on providing funding for the new crossing. Only when funding is in place can we be certain that the new crossing can be delivered."