130 homes to go under Forth bridge plans

Published on Wednesday 15 July 2009 22:12

LAND will be required from at least 130 owners to make way for the new Forth road bridge, Transport Scotland said yesterday as it published a guide to objecting to and claiming compensation for the scheme.

However, the government agency said no homes would be demolished as part of the 2 billion project. The guide is aimed at people affected by the crossing and new link roads, just west of the Forth road bridge.

Compensation levels will be similar to other major road schemes and there will be a two-month objection period to the plans, which are expected to be lodged in November for approval by MSPs.

Gavin Brown, a Lothians Conservative MSP, called for the guide to be sent to everyone in the area to ensure all those involved had time to prepare.

He said: "There is no indication of which properties might be affected, which places a lot of onus on residents to do their homework and respond in quite a tight timescale."

David Wragg, Queensferry and District Community Council's transport convener, said: "That Transport Scotland has released details of the compensation procedure is very welcome, but many homes are already blighted and it seems the owners or occupiers will not be able to claim compensation just yet."