Letter: Switched on

THE Forth Bridge is looking magnificent. As the last of the plastic sheeting and scaffolding is removed, it has emerged in all its glory – back to how it must have looked at its opening 120 years ago.

Well done to Balfour Beatty. (Let’s hope the new coatings live up to their promise of many years maintenance free). No credit to Network Rail however, which has had to be dragged screaming into getting this done. At one point, when many of us were pressuring the infrastructure operator to deal with the obvious rust and deterioration, Network Rail claimed that it was unnecessary to paint steel, other than for appearance. Unbelievable.

Now, can we please have our floodlights back? The first lighting was switched on at the centenary celebrations in 1990, and was fantastic – and too good to last. The lights were not maintained, and were replaced with a more accessible arrangement. Not as good, but still well worth having. Let’s get them switched on again.

John Watson

Hopetoun Road,

South Queensferry