Forth Bridge to get walkway with 367 feet high viewing deck as plans approved
| Published date | 29 June 2022 |
Led by Network Rail, the ambitious project has suffered push backs as a result of rising costs, initially estimated at £35 million. But following revisions to proposals, which were re-submitted to the council in January, the price tag is now at around £24 million and full planning permission was granted by councillors today (Wednesday, June 29).
However, support was not unanimous amongst Edinburgh City Council's Development Management Sub-Committee, as SNP and Green members voted to continue the application amid concerns about a lack of disabled parking spaces and the 'unaccpetable' width of a path leading to the site from a local train station.
The long-awaited Forth Bridge Experience, first touted by the rail firm back in 2017, is expected to welcome 85,000 visitors a year and create 40 jobs, giving a boost to the economy.
Accompanied by a guide, up to four groups an hour, each made up of between 12 and 15 people, will embark on the 367-foot-high ascent to the top of the A-listed structure, which is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's expected a tour will last around two-and-a-half hours.
The development will consist of three parts: a reception hub, nearby staff offices and the walkway itself which will give access to an observation deck being built on the bridge's south cantilever.
The single-storey reception hub, located at Hawes Brae, South Queensferry, was initially planned to be on the west side of the bridge but revised blueprints show it will now be constructed to the east of the line to mitigate disturbance to nearby residents.
There, visitors will be briefed before changing into safety clothing and harnesses, which will be attached to a continuous running safety line starting at the foot of the access ramp.
Plans state: "Existing access infrastructure on the bridge is to be utilised, and new sections added where required, in order to create a continuous safe access route to the top of the south cantilever.
"The new walkways required along the top member will be visually unobtrusive and will be largely contained within the line of the existing steelwork."
In addition, a nearby house owned by Network Rail known as 'The Forts' will be converted into office space for staff working at the Forth Bridge Experience, with two outbuildings associated with the property set to...
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