New Forth Crossing to cost £50m less

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon tours the north side development of the Forth Replacement Crossing. Picture: HeMedia

The budget to build the Queensferry Crossing and connecting roads was set at between £1.4 billion and £1.45 billion in September 2013 but has now been cut to between £1.35 billion and £1.4 billion.

In 2007 the estimated cost for a new bridge was put at £3.2 billion to £4.2 billion.

Ms Sturgeon said savings from the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) scheme had already benefited other infrastructure projects in Scotland.

She said: “It is very positive news to be able to announce a further £50 million worth of savings from Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation.

“We have already seen last year’s savings from the FRC benefit other projects, allowing work to start early on the dualling of the A9 for example.

“The progress made since construction started in June 2011 means we have delivered £195 million worth of savings. The sound management and delivery of the scheme should be warmly welcomed.

“Not only is the project delivering value for money it is also benefiting the Scottish economy with subcontract and supply orders for Scottish companies and over 1,000 people currently directly employed on site.

The new Forth crossing. Picture: HeMedia

“We recognise there are still challenges to overcome in the years ahead but it is very pleasing to report that with the first sections of deck being placed just last week, the project remains on schedule to be complete by the end of 2016.”

As at June this year, Scottish businesses had been awarded 257 of 453 (57%) subcontracts on the crossing while 19,045 of 20,861 (91%) of supply orders worth around £85 million had been awarded to Scottish firms.