Cash drought slams brakes on motorway link to bridge

The bill to upgrade the A8000 link between the Forth Road Bridge and Scotland’s motorway network has rocketed by almost 2.5 million and commuters are facing months of misery before work can start on the project.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (Feta) hoped to fund the project through toll money, but has been crippled by rising costs. The body has now said it cannot start work until the Executive agrees to help finance the scheme, but ministers have not offered any cash.

Work was set to begin on filling mine workings underneath the proposed route in March this year, paving the way for the 35m upgrade of the heavily congested single carriageway road, which is used by 29,000 vehicles every day.

The proposed scheme involves a two-lane motorway extension of the existing spur of the M9 north of Kirkliston. The new stretch of motorway would veer to the north-east away from the existing A8000, parallel to the Dalmeny rail line, to join the A90 dual-carriageway near South Queensferry.

Feta, which runs the Forth Road Bridge, has already complained about the financial burden of the project, which has risen from 15m just two years ago.

Barry Colford, deputy general manager of Feta, said: "We are awaiting a decision from the Scottish Executive on funding being made available to allow the whole project to begin. We are keen to get this project off the ground, and once all the pieces are in place, the project will commence."

The most recent twist in the saga was an accepted tender of 6.9m for filling the mine workings - 2.3m more than officials estimated.

The cost hike marks the third massive increase for the project in the past year following the inclusion of a cycleway and footpath and an investigation into the ground conditions.

Mr Colford added: "The consolidation of mine workings are a vital first step in the work to upgrade the A8000 and the Feta board agreed to approve acceptance of a tender from Forkers Ltd at a cost of 6.9m, subject to funding being secured."

A judicial review and public inquiry into tolls on the Forth Road Bridge have scuppered any chance of Feta starting work on the A8000 until they receive permission to raise the tolls by 20p to help fund the upgrade.

In the meantime, they hope to persuade the Scottish Executive to fill the financial gap. Transport Minister Nicol Stephen last week agreed to meet with Feta and the city council following a parliamentary grilling from Edinburgh West Lib Dem MSP Margaret Smith.

She said: "This is a major issue for my constituents, who are growing increasingly frustrated with unacceptable delays and the rising cost of the project."

"I am encouraged that the minister has not ruled out the possibility of the Scottish Executive underwriting the current funding gap for the project."

Even if the Executive does authorise a cash bail-out, it will still take around eight months just to fill the mine workings.

MEMORIAL BID MOVES ON

THE Forth Bridge Memorial Committee, set up to commission a memorial to the men killed during the construction of the bridge in the late 19th century, has held its inaugural meeting.

Members include representatives from local government, community groups from both North and South Queensferry and other interested parties.

Office bearers have been appointed, under the chairmanship of John Barrett MP. A total of 21 more men than previously thought lost their lives building the bridge. The death toll now stands at 78.