Have your say on car-free Road Bridge

COMMUTERS were today invited to have their say on proposals to make the Forth Road Bridge a car-free highway.

The Scottish Government plans to build a new 2.3 billion bridge with the existing bridge to be used solely by buses, small motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians.

Critics have dubbed the plan the "world's most expensive bus lane" and claim the cost of maintaining the bridge, which is showing signs of deterioration, will not be worth it for the amount of use it will get.

People or organisations with "an interest or involvement" in the plans for the so-called "public transport corridor" are invited to submit their views ahead of formal evidence sessions being held at Holyrood. The closing date for submissions is 26 February.

The proposals are due to be scrutinised by the parliamentary Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee tomorrow.

Green MSP for Glasgow and committee convener Patrick Harvie said:

"The committee wants to ensure the public transport services crossing the Forth are suitable for the 21st century. Any new public transport corridor has to integrate with existing public transport systems.

"We want to hear from individuals and organisations with an interest or involvement."