Queen’s tribute to bridge builders

The Queen opened the Queensferry Crossing yesterday, exactly 53 years since she opened the Forth Road Bridge. A bridge through time for the Queen

The Queen has paid tribute to the “breathtaking sight” created by the Queensferry Crossing and its neighbours.

As she officially opened the £1.35 billion bridge, she said: “The three magnificent structures we see here spanning three centuries are all feats of modern engineering and tribute to the talents, vision and remarkable skills of those who designed and built them.

“The Queensferry Crossing has joined its iconic and historic neighbours to create not only a breathtaking sight across the Forth but to provide an important link for so many in this community and surrounding areas.”

Turning to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon she said both she and the Duke of Edinburgh were delighted to join her and the people of Scotland to celebrate an “extraordinary achievement”.

On arriving at the south side of the span, the royal couple met Ms Sturgeon and representatives of the consortium behind the bridge.

Wearing the same shade of blue as the outfit she donned more than half a century ago to open the first road bridge, the Queen cut a ribbon to signify the formal opening of the Forth’s newest crossing. She was welcomed by an honour guard of the Royal Company of Archers and the national anthem from the Royal Regiment of Scotland band.

She was presented a posy by Elizabeth Martin, granddaughter of crossing project director Michael Martin.

The Queen was then driven to the north side of the bridge, in Fife, where she unveiled a plaque.

Ms Sturgeon told the guests to lift their eyes “to this wonder of our age” as she thanked those involved in the project.

She told them: “The nation’s heart is bursting with pride at what you have achieved.”

Despite the rain, The Red Arrows did a flypast east to west over all three bridges, lighting up the gloomy sky with a trail of brilliant red, white and blue, while a flotilla of boats sailed under the bridge.

The bridge was then blessed by the moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Derek Browning, while Scotland’s Makar, Jackie Kay, read a specially commissioned poem to the bridge.

A restriction of airspace has been put in place for the day so no aircraft, including drones, can fly below 3,000 feet above mean sea level in the area.

Today, 10,000 people from the communities around the bridge will have their own chance to walk across the new crossing before it reopens to traffic on Thursday.

Slowly but surely the boxes are being ticked and, in just a few short days, the new Queensferry Crossing will be fully open for business. After a lengthy countdown, yesterday The Queen cut the obligatory ribbon to ensure the opening is “official”.

Fittingly, the royal seal of approval came precisely 53 years to the day since the monarch opened the neighbouring Forth Road Bridge.

Both Her Majesty and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon spoke passionately about the feat of engineering behind the new crossing. Each was also at pains to highlight the opportunities it will provide for travellers both local and from further afield.

As the largest three-tower cable-stayed bridge in the world, the crossing’s place in history is already assured.

It may have taken 18 million man hours to construct – and come with a hefty £1.35 billion price tag – but the real test is still to come.

After a stop-start few days, on Thursday the bridge will at last reopen to traffic.

Tens of thousands of people have already taken the opportunity to walk across the bridge – just as well given there will be no pedestrian along what is now a section of motorway.

The ceremonies and official events have set the scene – now it is time for the bridge to become part of everyday life for thousands of Scots.