§ Ms SquireTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland when he plans to make an announcement on the replacement of the Kincardine Bridge. [61162]
§ Mr. MacdonaldI am announcing today my decision on a preferred line for a new crossing of the Forth in the vicinity of Kincardine. I have decided that, subject to the necessary statutory procedures, a new crossing should be built on an alignment approximately 2 kilometres upstream from the existing crossing at Kincardine. The new crossing will be used in conjunction with the existing bridge which will be refurbished. A new short Kincardine Eastern Link Road will also be constructed to link with the existing bridge and divert traffic travelling to and from Fife away from the centre of Kincardine village. My decision has taken full account of the five criteria—economy, environmental impact, safety, accessibility and integration—which the Government use to appraise trunk road investment. The sensitive ecology of the Forth Estuary meant that environmental considerations were particularly important. I am aware that the new crossing will potentially have an adverse visual impact on the village of Airth and every effort will be made to mitigate this.
My decision means that the further preparatory work which is required before construction can begin can now be commissioned and the Comprehensive Spending Review has provided resources for this. I am not able, at this stage, to give a firm indication of when construction will begin. The time needed to complete the preparatory work means that, in all probability, construction could not begin before 2003.
I have written to my hon. Friend giving her further details of my decision and I shall arrange for a copy of my letter to be placed in the Library of the House.