"IF THE BRIDGE IS WORTH BUILDING THEN IT'S WORTH BUILDING RIGHT" - SMITH AND CAMPBELL

4.20.00pm GMT Wed 14th Jan 2009

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's debate on the Replacement Forth Crossing in the Scottish Parliament, North East Fife's Liberal Democrat MP and MSP Sir Menzies Campbell and Iain Smith have condemned the SNP and Labour's "petty political posturing" and called for an end to the uncertainty over its funding.

Commenting Iain Smith said:

"It is vitally important that the uncertainty over the funding for the replacement Forth Road Bridge is ended. If this is not built on time and on budget it will be a disaster for Fife's economy, and the continued uncertainty will damage investment in the Kingdom.

"The SNP Government has had nearly two years to sort this out, but brought a proposal to Parliament in the full knowledge that no agreement had been reached with the UK Treasury as to how the crossing would be funded.

"The only thing that is certain is that the SNP's much vaunted Scottish Futures Trust will not be paying for a new Bridge, or anything else in Scotland."

Sir Menzies Campbell said:

"The importance of this project to the people and businesses of Fife is beyond question. The battle raging between London and Edinburgh as to who is responsible for the invoice only adds to the uncertainty.

"I am astonished by the SNP's claims that the cost of this project has been reduced due to the funding mechanism when it is abundantly clear that it is due to fundamental changes in design. The new bridge design, which neglects previous multi-modal options, will not properly serve the people of Fife or of Scotland.

"Fife and Scotland both deserve a bridge that makes a comprehensive improvement to transport in all its aspects.

"In an era when we are trying to persuade the public to make better use of public transport for environmental reasons it is difficult to see how a new bridge that neglects public transport can make the contribution that is required.

"The Scottish Government's new proposals are watered down and inadequate. Using the current bridge as the public transport option is a gamble too far. No one can be certain about its lifespan."

"If the bridge is worth building then it is worth building right."

ENDS