Forth Road Bridge anchor fears were ‘unfounded’

FEARS that a key part of Forth Road Bridge would require expensive and complicated repairs were unfounded a report has confirmed.

Picture: TSPL

In March The Scotsman revealed an inspection of the bridges main cable anchorages had found they were “sound”.

The official report from the Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) said the evidence gathered during the investigation found the anchorages to be in a “satisfactory condition” and concluded that “no further investigatory work is required”. Officials had previously said it would be very difficult to rectify any corrosion in the anchorages.

But given what the report described as the “unexpectedly good results”, Barry Colford, Chief Engineer told FETA: “I conclude from the information obtained from the investigation that the risk of having to replace the anchorages during the remaining service life of the bridge is relatively low.”

The £3.5million inspection contract has involved excavating 25ft of soil and concrete to uncover the anchorages.