Queensferry Crossing project ‘well managed and value for money’

SPENDING: Clearer plan needed to measure wider benefits, report finds

The Queensferry Crossing project delivered value for money and was well managed according to a new report from public spending watchdog Audit Scotland.

It says Transport Scotland needs a clearer plan to measure its wider benefits, however.

The £1.34 billion project, which opened last August, came in at least £110 million under budget, although its opening was delayed by eight months.

Auditor general Caroline Gardner said: “There is much the public sector can learn from the way Transport Scotland managed the project and it’s important that the good practice is shared more widely.

“The management of the project delivered value for money and achieved its overall aim of maintaining a reliable road link between Fife and the Lothians.”

Her report praised Transport Scotland’s budgeting, governance, quality assurance and risk management as was the competitive tendering process.

Ms Gardner added: “It is too early for some of the project’s wider benefits – such as improving public transport across the Forth, cutting journey times, and boosting economic growth – to be demonstrated.

“More detail is needed on how success will be measured.

“Transport Scotland now needs to produce a clearer plan about how it will measure the success of the project’s wider benefits, including its contribution to economic growth and improved public transport links.”

It should include a plan, with timescales and actions, of how public transport firms will be supported to meet increasing demand for travel across the Forth.

Transport minister Michael Matheson said: “The report provides welcome recognition of the project having delivered its objective of providing a more reliable road link between the Lothians and Fife.”

Since opening at the end of last August there have been 14 occasions in which the Forth Road Bridge would have closed to high-sided vehicles due to weather conditions.

There is much the public sector can learn from the way Transport Scotland managed the project and it’s important that the good practice is shared more widely. AUDITOR GENERAL CAROLINE GARDNER

Picture: PA. The £1.34 billion Queensferry Crossing was delayed by eight months but under budget.