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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Public to name new Forth crossing | Public to name new Forth crossing |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| The public will be allowed to vote for the name of the new Forth crossing, the Scottish government has decided. | The public will be allowed to vote for the name of the new Forth crossing, the Scottish government has decided. |
| Transport Minister Keith Brown announced details of the process to choose the name. | |
| An advisory panel is to be established to choose a shortlist of names, with the vote taking place in 2013. | An advisory panel is to be established to choose a shortlist of names, with the vote taking place in 2013. |
| The Scottish Government clearly sees this as a prestige project. Artist's impressions give us an intriguing glimpse of the future. | |
| The images show an elegant cable-stayed bridge with three towers, mirroring the three famous double cantilevers of the Forth Bridge. | |
| The decision to build a new crossing has been controversial, with environmental campaigners arguing there is no need for another bridge. | |
| Meanwhile, the SNP's political opponents say Scottish companies are losing out, with too many contracts for the £790m project going to overseas firms. | |
| But everyone seems to agree that the working title of the "Forth Replacement Crossing" shows, at best, a lack of imagination. | |
| Green groups argue the name is deliberately misleading as there is no prospect of the Forth Road Bridge closing to traffic any time soon. | |
| It is used by over 24 million vehicles a year. That is many more than it was designed to carry, and the extra load has come at a cost. | |
| The condition of the road bridge is under constant scrutiny amidst concerns about its ability to cope with that extra workload. | |
| It is frequently under repair. | |
| However, the arguments about the need for a "replacement" continue. That is why one sceptic has already suggested calling the new crossing "Bridge Over the River, Why?" | |
| Construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing, as it is currently known, began in 2011 and is due to be completed in 2016. | Construction of the Forth Replacement Crossing, as it is currently known, began in 2011 and is due to be completed in 2016. |
| Speaking on a visit to the existing Forth Road Bridge, Mr Brown said: "It is absolutely right that the people of Scotland have a say on the identity of this historic project and for that reason I am very happy to announce that a public vote on the naming will take place next year. | |
| "I will shortly be appointing a panel of independent advisors to undertake a consultation on potential names. They will consider all possible suggestions before producing a shortlist of the most appropriate that can be put to a public vote. | "I will shortly be appointing a panel of independent advisors to undertake a consultation on potential names. They will consider all possible suggestions before producing a shortlist of the most appropriate that can be put to a public vote. |
| "This is an exciting project that we want the people of Scotland to take pride in and I am delighted that the people of Scotland will have the opportunity to have the final say." | "This is an exciting project that we want the people of Scotland to take pride in and I am delighted that the people of Scotland will have the opportunity to have the final say." |
| The Forth crossing has been described as the biggest infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation. | The Forth crossing has been described as the biggest infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation. |
| Mr Brown also highlighted continuing efforts to have the historic 19th Century Forth Bridge recognised as a World Heritage Site. | |
| He added: "On behalf of the Forth Bridges Forum, Historic Scotland are preparing to submit a Technical Evaluation document in support of the Forth Bridge's application for World Heritage Status. | |
| "This is just the first round of the process. | |
| "Transport Scotland, Network Rail and the surrounding local authorities are supportive of the bid and look forward to working with Historic Scotland on this important project." |