Fears that Forth jobs could be lost

Rumours are circulating there may be job cuts at the Forth Road Bridge.

A spokesman for bridge operator Amey said it was implementing a number of initiatives to improve its efficiency.

“Part of this includes restructuring some areas and this involves a small number of backroom support employees on the Forth bridges contract,” the spokesman said.

“Levels of service and expertise will be maintained and these changes will allow us to provide the service as efficiently as possible.”

He insisted that bridge users will see no impact.

The Forth Estuary Transport Authority (FETA) was the body responsible for the management and maintenance of the bridge, which opened in 1964, until June 2015.

After FETA was dissolved, it was then handed over to the Scottish Government’s Forth Bridges Unit.

The operating contract was awarded to Amey, and its remit will include the Queensferry Crossing when it is complete next year.

FETA’s existing staff transferred to Amey, bringing their expertise and experience of the bridge with them.

However, a whistleblower claimed it was FETA administration staff – local people – who were facing redundancies, while Amey had recruited administration apprentices who were not local.

The disgruntled insider said staffing levels at the 52-year-old bridge had increased dramatically with the arrival of Amey but it was FETA staff who were losing their positions.