20,000 votes cast for new Forth Crossing name

MORE than 20,000 votes have been cast in the poll to choose a name for the Forth replacement Crossing, just two days after the contest was launched.

Keith Brown stands with a window displaying the names on offer for the new crossing. Picture: PA

People have until 7 June to choose from a five-strong shortlist - Caledonia Bridge, Firth of Forth Crossing, Queensferry Crossing, Saltire Crossing and St Margaret’s Crossing.

The names were selected by an expert panel from more than 7,500 different suggestions for the £1.6 billion bridge, which is due to open at the end of 2016.

Transport minister Keith Brown, who launched the vote on Monday, hailed the “phenomenal response”.

He said: “It is fantastic to see so many people getting involved in choosing the name and I hope that this continues.

“We know there is a huge interest in what is Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation, but the number coming forward over the past few days has surpassed our expectations.”

More information is available at www.namethebridge.co.uk