Linda makes history at new bridge - again
Reliving Queensferry opening
A Stirling woman whose father helped build the Forth Road Bridge is set to be among the first to walk the new Queensferry Crossing.
Linda Pirie, from Riverside, and her husband David will be among 50,000 people to trek across the new bridge, almost 53 years to the day since she walked with her family over the Forth Road Bridge.
The Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic this week but will close this weekend to allow people to walk across the magnificent £1.35 billion structure.
Linda’s father Robert Meikle worked on the construction of the Forth Road Bridge, which opened on September 4, 1964.
The then eight-year old Linda, her father, mother Joyce and sister Margaret were among those invited on to the bridge to see it officially opened by the Queen.
Now Linda has been selected from a ballot to walk the new bridge on Saturday
She said: “After the war my dad went to do sheet metal working in Lanark and I think that’s how he got the job working with the steel aspect of the bridge.
“We weren’t a rich family and it was fabulous when we got invitations.
“When we got to the bridge there was a really bad mist the day it was opened. After it opened the mist lifted and the bridge was seen in all its glory. It was such a brilliant day.
“Now for my hubby and I to be chosen to be just two of 50,000 is something really special and I don’t know that there will a lot there that were actually on it all those years ago.
“My dad was so proud of his work on the bridge. He was a very quiet, unassuming man, he wasn’t one for emotion but that was something he took pride in.
“My father died in 2001 but he would absolutely be tickled pink by the new bridge.
“My husband and I are really looking forward to crossing the new bridge. I think he realises the importance of it to me.
“I know there will be tears on Saturday but I am so looking forward to it.”
The existing Forth Road Bridge will remain alongside the new crossing.
The crossing is a three-tower cable-stayed bridge, spanning 1.7 miles.
Around 2.5 miles of new connecting roads had to be built to support the bridge, including new and upgraded junctions at Ferrytoll in Fife, South Queensferry and Junction 1A on the M9.
Construction started in September 2011.
If you have been lucky enough to have been selected to walk the bridge we would love to see your selfies taken on the day. Drop us an email with your photo, your name and where you are from to news@ stirlingobserver.co.uk.