A Bridge Too Far?

A very strange story. Apparently First Minister Alex Salmond is planning a trip to the Middle East to meet with bankers in Qatar to come up with the money to pay for the Scottish Government's major infrastructire project, including a new Forth Road Bridge.

"ALEX Salmond, the First Minister, has been accused of going cap in hand to the Middle East for money because his schemes to pay for Scotland's infrastructure have failed. It has been revealed that Mr Salmond will visit Qatar to ask for loans for projects such as the new Forth Road Bridge.The practice of borrowing Middle East money is being considered by many Western governments, because there are religious-based laws there against charging interest on loans.But if Mr Salmond is successful, it will see Scotland in hock for decades to a country that has been the subject of concerns from Human Rights Watch."

Why didn't they ask Carnegie for a sub? He's got loads of spare cash sloshing about. But seriously, is this really a good idea?

Pests.

"NHS FIFE have denied claims that Kirkcaldy hospitals have suffered from pest infestations over the past three years. A local media report yesterday said that both the Victoria and Forth Park hospitals had suffered over 280 reports of pests on the premises after figures had been obtained under the Freedom Of Information Act. The report went on to mention that some £35,000 had been spent on tackling infestations of rats, cockroaches and flies in health centres in the Kirkcaldy and Levenmouth area, which has also been denied by the body.2

But critically NHS Fife didn't actually dispute the basic information. It's just not goo enough.

"While not denying the accuracy of the figures, NHS Fife were quick to reassure the public that there is no pest control issues on their premises, and that the figures have been incorrectly interpreted by a section of the media. In a statement, Mr Wilson said, “Yesterday’s report failed to make clear, that we do not have an active pest infestation problem."

That's clear then ....

Crossing.

"FIRST Minister Alex Salmond was in Rosyth today to announce the revival of Scotland’s only year-round ferry service to Europe. Speaking at Forth Ports' ferry terminal the First Minister announced the resumption of the Rosyth to Zeebrugge ferry route as of spring 2009 in conjunction with Norfolkline, ... The previous service, operated by Superfast, was discontinued as of 13th September and Norfolkline aim to match the sailing schedule previously provided. They will depart from Rosyth on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 5pm with a crossing time of around 19 hours and a view to future expansion if demand dictates."

Well they did it, but it takes one hour longer than the original service and how much will it end up costing?

The £4 Billion Question.

"Doubts about whether tolls would be needed to cover the maintenance costs of the new Forth crossing were finally removed yesterday ... Malcolm Reed, chief executive of Transport Scotland, revealed that the whole issue of the new crossing had been delegated to him, and tolls were an option. But Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson has now given a “guarantee” that tolls will not be brought back after the bridge, estimated to cost between £3.25billion and £4.22billion, is built."

Great news ... except for the fact that we haven't got a concrete commitment that the Bridge will actually be built yet. No contact has been issued. Fifers shouldn't forget that minor £4 billion detail.

Houses For Sale.

And yet another failure for Fife Council in attempting to uphold one of their decisions to refuse a planning application for eighty homes on the site of an industrial estate.

"THE future viability of a Dalgety Bay industrial estate has been called into question following the decision to allow houses to be built there. Following an appeal, Scottish ministers decided that around 80 homes could be built on the former OCLI site at Ridge Way, Hillend Industrial Estate. Fife Council had originally rejected the application but Cala Homes’ appeal was upheld and ministers said there was “little likelihood of future employment use” at the site. And councillors at a meeting yesterday (Wednesday) were told there are fears “that loss of the land to residential use would create an undesirable precedent across Fife”.

If Fife Council and its planners can't even justify and successfully defend refusing a planning application for residential housing on an industrial estate then that raises major questions about whether there are other gaps in its local development plans which other developers will be able to exploit. And one of them is bound to have a go given house prices in Dalgety Bay.

Named And Shamed.

You might want to have a look at the website below next time you decide to nip out for a pizza. Then again given some of the problems detected you probably won't want to.

"MANY of Dunfermline’s best known eateries have fallen foul of a new food hygiene regime with restaurants, hot food takeaways, bars, cafes, stores, a hotel, a golf club and a bowling club all failing the test.Environmental services inspectors have slapped an ‘Improvement Required’ notice on a long list of West Fife premises whose food safety standards are not up to scratch. A council ‘name and shame’ web-site makes it clear to customers just what is happening behind the scenes at the places they and their family go to eat – and the reports are not for the squeamish. Dirty kitchens, broken fridges, food past its sell-by-date, raw meat dripping on to ready-to-eat meals and other hazardous practices liable to lead to food poisoning are all highlighted."

Strike It Unlucky?

Carnegie asks "What is a hot spot not? ... It's not a good spot."

"Scientists monitoring a beach in Fife for radioactive hotspots say they have discovered seven contaminated areas."

Fat's Not Fife.

It's official.

"A NEW report has revealed over seven per cent of Fifers are obese. But, according to this research, the Kingdom is still considered to be one of Scotland's least overweight areas - despite earlier studies revealing that Fife's primary ones are the fattest in the country."

Things aren't as bad as we perhaps we originally thought. Good news for a change. Pass me that bacon roll.

Bon Voyage ... Again.

Carnegie thought Fife had already said the final goodbye to the QE2 but apparently not.

"LARGE crowds will gather along the West Fife coast to witness a spectacular farewell to the world’s most famous cruise liner. Fireworks, water displays and a flyover by aircraft from RAF Leuchars will mark the final voyage of the QE2, when it drops anchor near the Forth Bridge on 7th October. And free entertainment and viewing points will be set up along the coast so people can bid the 70,327 tonne ship farewell before she becomes a floating hotel in Dubai. Fife Council has secured 20 VIP places for youngsters to step aboard the ship for a tour and lunch before she sails into retirement, which they will offer in a forthcoming competition."

Splashdown?

Carnegie thinks there are very long odds on Dalgety Bay ever getting a swimming pool.

"A FEASIBILITY study for a swimming pool in Dalgety Bay is under way – but the likelihood of one going ahead is slim. The Dalgety Bay Community Council, via Fife Council’s community services department, has contacted the Melbourn Trust Hertfordshire, to find out more about the community pool it runs in the town of Melbourn. The purpose of the investigation is to get a more accurate indication of public sector support, the economics of local swimming pools and an understanding of the demographic make-up of the area and then compare that information with Dalgety Bay."

Bridge.

It is sad that someone recently lost their life in a road accident on the Forth Road Bridge, but it is amazing that the fatality is the first given the volumes of traffic which make use of the route.

"The motorcyclist who died after a crash on the Forth Road Bridge was the first fatality the bridge has had in its 44-year history. Naval officer Alex Comrie, 48, was driving to work in Edinburgh when his silver Honda was involved in a smash with a white van and blue car. Fife Constabulary and The Forth Estuary Transport Authority said there had been crashes on the bridge slip-roads."

Carnegie send his sympathies to Officer Comrie's family.

Ferry Expensive.

"HOPES THAT a new Rosyth to Norway ferry would be running this year have been scuppered by the withdrawal of Superfast’s Zeebrugge service. Fife was dealt the blow yesterday with news that the planned link between Norway, Shetland, mainland Scotland and continental Europe had failed to secure Euro funding and will not now be operational until next year at the earliest. A “technicality” in the application for Marco Polo funding for the Norshukon Link had sunk hopes that Rosyth would welcome the new route this year—compensating for the gap left by the final Superfast sailing this weekend. While the formal detailed evaluation is still awaited, the Norshukon Link consortium believes it was not selected for funding simply due to a technicality in the application."

But Carnegie thinks the central question remains. Should anyone be subsidising a ferry service that fundamentally hasn't been able to wash its face? Even one run by the legendary Marco Polo?

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.

Last Crossing.

Carnegie reads of the end of an era.

"SCOTLAND WILL bid a sad “bon voyage” to the final Superfast sailing between Rosyth and Zeebrugge on Saturday. The withdrawal of the only direct ferry route between the country and mainland Europe comes only 15 weeks after Superfast Ferries made its shock announcement that it was pulling the plug on its flagship service. It is all so different from the optimism felt only six years before when it sailed off on its maiden voyage from the Rosyth port following years of campaigning and negotiations. It is thought Superfast’s parent company, the Attica Group, made the decision based on a failure to build up the freight side of the business and the rocketing price of oil."

Sad. But the Superfast ferry never really lived up to its billing, given that it took it eighteen hours to get there.

Reckless.

And he was done.

"A FIFE man has been found guilty of deliberately driving a van into the foyer at Dunfermline police station ... Jurors heard Robertson was not happy about the way police had handled a series of complaints he made to them ... Robertson was remanded in custody."

Hit And Done.

"A jury heard yesterday how a student crashed into the foyer at Dunfermline police station with such force the tow bar on the van he was driving embedded itself in a brick wall. Scott Robertson said he had no recollection of being at the police station until he woke up in an observation cell in a blue overall. He said he thought a dodgy gearbox might have caused the accident."

It all seems very strange to Carnegie. Who would want to drive at a police station deliberately?

Dalgety Ray (2).

So, if you see any men wearing strange suits in Dalgety Bay you will know what they are up to.

"DALGETY BAY residents will find out the extent of contamination by radioactive waste following further monitoring by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) this month. Sepa plans to undertake a new survey following the results of previous tests and discussions with the Defence Estates Agency. Work will take place from 15th-19th September and will be carried out by contractors Nuvia. The survey will extend further east and west than on previous occasions and will include the new harbour and sandy bay west of the sailing club, as well as a significant part of the foreshore behind Sealstrand."

Dog Days.

This is one of those ... it could only happen in Fife stories.

"OSCAR the dog is feeling above par after an unlucky 13 golf balls were removed from his stomach. Owner Chris Morrison (48) was stunned on making the discovery after hearing rattling from the five-year-old labrador’s stomach. Oscar hoovered up the balls over a period of several months on walkies at nearby Pitreavie golf course. One of the balls had even turned black through decomposure."

You couldn't make it up. But will the golfers want their balls back?

Open House.

"MANY BUILDINGS and gardens across Fife will open their doors to the public again in September for the annual Doors Open Days event. The free event gives Fifers the chance to take a closer look at 69 of the Kingdom's finest and most interesting properties, old and new. Doors Open Days will be taking place in Fife on three Sundays througout September beginning on September 7 when there will be 18 venues and events across West Fife."

It's worth a visit.

Race For Life.

A big pat on the back to all of those involved. Well done to you all.

"A 24-HOUR fundraising party in Dalgety Bay to remember loved ones and continue the fight against cancer is set to smash the £80,000 barrier. The cash raised at the ‘Relay for Life’ event, organised by the local Cancer Research UK branch, was more than double their target. A delighted Lyn Gorton, the chairman of the town’s Relay for Life committee, said, “It’s the largest relay in Scotland and for just our second attempt it’s phenomenal."

Old Dunfermline.

Carnegie likes old snaps of his home town.

"DUNFERMLINE folk remain fascinated by their photographic past. Following on from three sell-out performances of 'Old Dunfermline on Screen', a brand new selection of slides and films has been put together for two further screenings of this popular production next month.The glimpses from a bygone age will be shown in the Carnegie Hall on September 24 and 25.Chairman of Dunfermline Heritage Trust, Craig Lindsay, is confident that these shows will be just as popular."

Carnegie will be dropping in.