Mid-Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser has called on the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Keith Brown, to clarify an answer he gave suggesting roads linking the new Queensferry crossing were not complete in time for its intended opening in December.
The Scottish Conservative MSP asked Keith Brown whether the road surfaces adjoining the new bridge, both north and south, were ready in time for the planned opening in December. The Cabinet Secretary refused to answer directly simply stating that;
Anyone travelling over the Forth Road Bridge in recent weeks and months could see that the adjoining road surfaces were clearly not ready for traffic in December.
Commenting Murdo Fraser MSP said:
“Bad weather has been blamed for delays in opening the Queensferry Crossing, but anyone travelling over the current bridge could see that road surfaces connecting the new bridge were not complete in time for December.
“Failure to lay tarmac on time surely cannot be blamed on the bad weather bogeyman.
“Something else must be at play and the Scottish Government’s evasive answer clearly suggests that road surfaces were not ready for the new bridge’s aborted opening date at the turn of the year.
“The Scottish Government must come clean and tell the public exactly what has gone on regarding construction delays on the new bridge.”