£2bn bridge will 'starve' rest of nation

CAMPAIGNERS against the new £2 billion Forth bridge have said the crossing will "starve" the rest of Scotland of investment.

The ForthRight Alliance, a coalition opposed to the building of a second Forth Road Bridge, criticised the Scottish Government's decision to press head with what it called the "unaffordable, unsustainable and unpopular" new bridge.

The group's comments came after Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed the new crossing remained a priority when making his Budget statement at Holyrood.

Lawrence Marshall, chairman of the ForthRight Alliance and former convener of the Forth Estuary Transport Authority, said: "By continuing to insist on spending over 2bn on an unnecessary additional bridge at Queensferry rather than concentrating on fixing the existing crossing, John Swinney has condemned communities across the land to sub-standard health, education and local government facilities for the lifetime of the next Scottish Parliament - and beyond."