Challenges on the road ahead for bridge

Published on Saturday 23 February 2008 10:39

FETA's well placed to keep things moving across the Forth, says Barry Colford

I'M looking forward to getting on with the job of maintaining the Forth Road Bridge. This is what we do best at the Forth Estuary Transport Authority and we're all determined to make a success of the new toll-free era. It's a privilege to be charged with the responsibility of keeping the traffic flowing over what is a vital economic artery for the whole east of Scotland.

The new post of chief engineer and bridgemaster was created as part of the organisational restructure that was required following the abolition of tolls. The new title reflects the new focus on maintenance at FETA. In theory, we're still a transport authority with power to invest in wider transport projects. However, in practice, we'll devote 100 per cent of our energy to the maintenance and operation of the Forth Road Bridge – and we're very happy about this.

I'm lucky to be taking charge of an excellent team, but I must also pay tribute to the dedication and professionalism of the 33 colleagues made redundant as part of the restructure. We wish them well. Those of us who remain are very positive about the future. I know the staff here will bring the same professionalism to operating a toll-free bridge as they did when our job was to collect tolls.

The bridge clearly faces major challenges over the next few years, not least corrosion in the main cables. Work to stop the corrosion using dry air injection is on schedule and we're confident it will prove successful.

However, this technology has never been used to stop ongoing corrosion on this scale before, so we can't give a cast-iron guarantee that it will slow down the corrosion before weight restrictions have to be introduced. That's why the Scottish Government has now given a commitment to build a new crossing, and that's why we've been investigating the implications of replacing or strengthening the main cables, should this become necessary.

Last week, the Evening News reported 2.6 billion as the cost of replacing the Forth Road Bridge's main cables. The direct design and construction cost of such a project would be around 100 million. The rest of the cost is the impact on the wider economy of the seven years of intermittent traffic restrictions and closures that would be required. Fortunately, we think dehumidification will work and if a new crossing is in place the wider economic impact will disappear. The true value of the job we do here becomes clear when you consider the cost of not fixing the bridge.

As chief engineer and bridgemaster, I am responsible for keeping the bridge safe and the traffic flowing with minimum disruption. A balance has to be struck and I'm committed to working closely with everyone who relies on the crossing, including public sector agencies, commercial concerns and the local communities who live alongside the bridge.

Barry Colford is FETA's chief engineer and bridgemaster