The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Revealed: Crossing’s extra community day
bridge walk: Additional 10,000 people from schools and groups invited
Huge opportunity for thousands of youngsters as details are released of the festivities for September 5 – the day after the bridge is officially opened by the Queen.
Details of the Queensferry Crossing’s extra community day have been revealed.
And the September 5 event will mean every child studying in the shadow of the bridge will have the chance to be involved.
The 1.7 mile-long bridge opens to traffic on August 30, but then closes on September 2 and 3 for a public festival.
There was phenomenal demand for 50,000 places up for grabs in a ballot to walk the newest Forth bridge, leading to calls for an additional chance to get up close and personal.
In response to feedback, an additional 10,000 people from local schools and community groups will have the chance to walk on to the bridge on September 5, the day after its official opening by the Queen.
It is expected to involve 13 schools from the six community council areas adjacent to the project – around 6,000 pupils and staff have been invited.
This is expected to create an opportunity for each child in the area to become a part of history, offering a real legacy for the next generation.
It also builds on a key aspect of the project which has seen 23,000 pupils participate in the schools programme.
Transport Scotland and VisitScotland have also revealed details of additional support for local communities to make the most out of the weekend of celebrations, including funding for South Queensferry and North Queensferry to host events, entertainment, screenings of the celebrations, and a flotilla on the Forth, in the run up to and during the official opening.
Economy secretary Keith Brown said the celebrations marked the end of a “hugely impressive construction project” but also set the scene for a new chapter as the public will soon start to see the immediate benefits of the bridge being open to traffic.
“We can be sure of a global audience and have already received interest from around the world in this spectacular project.
“VisitScotland and Transport Scotland are already working with other agencies to ensure the location is marketed as a unique destination and a Forth Bridges strategy is being developed to build on the momentum associated with a grand opening of this scale.”
He said the extra event was in response to demand and feedback as close as possible to the official opening, adding: “This has been done to minimise disruption but ensure the feel-good factor isn’t lost.” David Climie has helped build magnificent bridges across the world. But never has he witnessed the phenomenal public reaction to the once in a lifetime chance to be able to set foot on the Queensferry Crossing.
When the ballot, to allow the public to walk the £1.35 billion new Forth bridge, closed more than 225,000 people had applied for one of only 50,000 places.
Such was the clamour to allow greater access, a new community day has been added, giving 10,000 – the bulk of them school pupils – the chance to take part and be inspired.
Then there is the support for events on either side of the bridge to add to the party atmosphere.
It seems only right that those living in the shadow of the crossing are able to take part, ensuring Scotland welcomes its newest landmark in style, and as Keith Brown puts it, extend the feel-good factor.
Each and every one of the 10,000 locals have the chance to make history.
Surely there could be no more fitting legacy.