Crossing highly oversubscribed
MSP wants more people to walk bridge
Many people hoping to walk the new Queensferry Crossing bridge before it opens to traffic are likely to be disappointed.
There were just 50,000 places available through a ballot which closed on July 5 but almost 230,000 people applied for the experience.
Now Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Alexander Stewart (pictured right) has voiced concern at the “distinct lack of places versus the number of applications” for the chance to walk over the structure on September 2 and 3, prior to its opening proper.
The crossing forms the centrepiece of a major upgrade to the Forth transport corridor and is 1.7 miles (2.7km) long.
It is the longest three-tower, cablesecured bridge in the world and by far the largest to feature cables which cross mid-span.
When the new crossing opens, the existing Forth Road Bridge will become dedicated for public transport use, cycling and walking.
Tory MSP Mr Stewart said: “I very much echo and support a recent motion to the Scottish Parliament from my colleague Murdo Fraser MSP which asks that the Parliament notes calls from campaigners to increase the number of days for people to walk across the new Queensferry Crossing when it opens in August – and in turn, increase the number of available spaces.
“The new Queensferry Crossing is a significant historical, cultural and engineering achievement and we believe Transport Scotland and the Scottish Government should listen to the calls from campaigners to extend the number of days open for walks.”
Mr Stewart added that banning traffic from all or part of bridges for annual walks is already popular in the United States.
In one of the biggest events of its kind, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was closed to vehicles for a day on May 24, 1987 to celebrate its 50th anniversary, attracting around 250,000 people from original estimates of just 50,000.
A Transport Scotland spokesperson, however, said: “All of the available 50,000 spaces for the Queensferry Crossing experience have now been accepted. As stated previously, just over half of the entrants to the ballot are from the most local post code areas to the Queensferry Crossing, and on that basis, as the ballot is random, we expect that these percentages will be similar in the final selection of the successful participants.”
The spokesperson added that Transport Scotland was working with six community councils in the immediate area of the bridge to ensure local school pupils, community groups and members of local communities have the chance to take part in the opening celebrations. Extra tickets have also been allocated to the six community councils and further tickets would be allocated to local groups and charities shortly.
They said: “In addition, there will be further opportunities for local participation in the official opening events, separate from the Queensferry Crossing Experience.”