Talk of the Town: Bridge a case of name and shame

THE new Forth crossing doesn't have its problems to seek, with a possible price-tag of more than £2 billion and more than a few people suggesting the whole project should be scrapped.

And now a local councillor has spotted another concern, suggesting that it is a matter or extreme urgency to find the as-yet unbuilt crossing a name - in case it winds up with something embarrassing.

Ian Chisholm, SNP councillor for Lochgelly and Cardenden in Fife, said the fifth Forth bridge should have a name to match its iconic location.

He has written to Transport Scotland chief executive David Middleton to highlight the need for public consultation, and raised the issue with Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson.

Mr Chisholm, who apparently favours calling it "Bruce Bridge" after Robert the Bruce, warned: "We need the new bridge to have a name that people are comfortable with or the public will choose a nickname that sticks, as Glaswegians did for the 'squinty' bridge."

While he may have a point, perhaps in these times it might be an idea to put the name up for sale to the highest bidder.

Dave in mix for Currie

FORMER Currie rugby star Dave Beggy is travelling back to meet up with old mates at the club's 40th anniversary lunch on Saturday at Malleny Park.

He will bring with him a tale of sporting history repeating itself back in his native Navan.

Just like dad 35 years earlier, Harry Beggy, aged 10, recently helped his club win the All-Ireland mini rugby title. "Things have gone full life cycle in our family" says Dave, who attracted the attention of Irish Exiles selectors during a three-year stint working in Scotland from 1990-93.

A Tory gone Green?

SPOTTED collecting litter on the tree-lined avenue of Holyrood Gait, while on his way to work at the Scottish Parliament, was John Scott, Tory MSP for Ayr.

"People should take responsibility for their streets," he said, picking up yet another discarded plastic cup to add to the armful of debris he'd already acquired.

"I walk this way every morning and it annoys me to see such a beautiful walk spoiled by litter."

Clearly a man of social conscience . . . or a potential defector to the Greens?

Time to get a room

IT'S less storage and more "phwoar-age" at Howard Storage World in Livingston, apparently.

A recent "survey" supposedly concluded that 63 per cent of its customers felt more satisfied after organising a room than after sex.