How Much?

So exactly how much will the proposed new Forth bridge really cost? It would appear that no-one really knows.

"THE new Forth Road Bridge could be the most expensive bridge in human history, an MSP has claimed. Current estimates put the cost at £4.2 billion. But Green MSP Patrick Harvie, convener of the Scottish Parliament's transport committee, said a much longer bridge between Germany and Denmark had been costed at £3.4bn. He asked Finance Secretary John Swinney at the committee: "Is this the most expensive bridge in human history?" Mr Swinney said the estimated cost was at 2016 prices and also included the extensive road network leading to the bridge. But he agreed to provide the committee with any appropriate international price comparisons officials had made. Mr Swinney also said the new crossing was needed despite evidence that decay on the existing road bridge was slower than first thought."

If Mr Harvie's logic is correct then the new Forth bridge should be cheaper than £3.4 billion. Good news for everyone even the Greens.