Forth Bridge on track to join pyramids and the Taj Mahal

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 09:25

A BID is being mounted to have the Forth Bridge join Edinburgh's Old and New Towns in being named a World Heritage Site.

A UK-wide review is under way into whether any new sites should be added to those given Unesco status.

Scottish Secretary Donald Dewar first called for the bridge to be recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1999, and that initiative has now been revived by the SNP Government.

Now campaigners hope the bridge will be next to achieve the accolade already afforded to such iconic sites as the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal.

However, Unesco's World Heritage Committee has asked countries with the greatest number of existing sites to slow down or suspend their nominations in favour of less represented nations.

Hamish Gilchrist, a South Queensferry sculptor who produced a memorial to workers killed during the building of the bridge, said the structure deserved to be thought of among the world's most treasured sites.

He said: "It's without doubt an iconic structure that is a testimony to Scottish engineering. It may be a lot more modern than the likes of the pyramids and the Taj Mahal, but it's still a real achievement.

"I think the majority of people in South Queensferry would be very supportive of it getting World Heritage status."

Scotland's existing World Heritage sites are the Old and New Towns, the island of St Kilda, Neolithic Orkney, New Lanark and the Roman Antonine Wall.

The rail bridge is on a list of sites which could be set to join them, including Arbroath Abbey, Glasgow School of Art and the Great Glen. The Scottish Government has now launched a consultation on what should be included.

Culture minister Linda Fabiani said: "It is vital that the experience we have of Scotland's five world heritage sites is reflected in the public consultation.

"I am constantly impressed by the passion and commitment so many people have for these sites and I would ask them to get involved to help shape how these sites are protected in the future."

She added: "There can be no question that many people across Scotland are justly proud that so many sites in our country are recognised on this global scale."

The Forth Bridge was designed by Sir William Arrol, and construction began in 1883. The work took seven years to complete, and 57 workers lost their lives.

The consultation period ends on February 24.