Electric vehicles and tourism role proposed under 'fresh vision' for Forth Road Bridge

Drivers of electric vehicles would be allowed to use the Forth Road Bridge as part of a “fresh vision” for the crossing proposed by Alba MSP Ash Regan.

She also said the bridge, which is restricted to buses and taxis, could also become a “venue for innovation or catalyst for modern tourism”.

The bridge has cost more than £75 million to maintain since most traffic was switched to the parallel Queensferry Crossing when it opened in 2017, including nearly £6.3m in 2023/24.

The structure has since been designated as a public transport corridor and is only used by cars, vans and lorries when the new bridge is closed, such as when there is a danger of ice falling from its cables.

A previously proposed viewing platform on top of the Forth Road Bridge | Forth Bridges Forum/CH2MHILL

Prior to taking on its new role, consultants commissioned by the Forth Bridges Forum proposed a range of new uses for the Forth Road Bridge, including a glass viewing platform at the top of one of its towers, and bungee jumps from a platform beneath its carriageways.

As The Scotsman revealed in 2017, a study by CH2M Hill included visitors being taken up the tower in glass lifts, and an enclosed “net walk” supported by ropes and chains.

However, the schemes were shelved when Network Rail announced similar plans for the adjacent Forth Bridge, which have since also been put on hold because of lack of funding.

A proposed viewing platform under the Forth Road Bridge | Forth Bridges Forum/CH2MHILL

Ms Regan told MSPs in her party’s first debate at the Scottish Parliament on Thursday: “The Forth Road Bridge is a structure which has immense potential.

"Currently, it's only in a supporting role alongside its newest neighbour. But I think we need a fresh vision for this iconic structure, whether as a dedicated electric vehicle and commercial route, a venue for innovation or a catalyst for modern tourism.

"By transforming what might be deemed surplus into a valuable asset, we are demonstrating the kind of innovative thinking that keeps Scotland at the forefront of progress."

Ms Regan said later the bridge could offer a congestion-free route into Edinburgh to incentivise the switch to electric vehicles.

She said it could also provide a “fast-track” route for lorries, vans and other commercial vehicles.

The MSP said a “world-class tourism destination” could be created with a lift to a panoramic viewing platform at the top of the bridge, “offering spectacular views of the Forth bridges and surrounding landscape.”

However, Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton, whose Edinburgh Western constituency covers the south end of the bridge, said: “At present the Forth Road Bridge is used by buses, taxis, cyclists and pedestrians, so it is not as if it is going unused.”

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “The Forth Road Bridge is already a dedicated public transport corridor, carrying buses and coaches, including increasing number of electric buses, as well as being an important link for pedestrians, cyclists and authorised non-motorway traffic.

“It also provides additional transport resilience in the event of traffic having to be diverted from the Queensferry Crossing.

“We have no plans to change the current varied use of the Forth Road Bridge’s role.”