Public invited to name the third Forth Bridge

What is your suggestion for the name to be given to the new bridge over the River Forth? Latest suggestions are as follows:- The Deep Red Sky Bridge, The Firth of Forth Bridge, The Highland Highway, The Fifth Forth Bridge, The Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, The Saltire Link, The Adam Smith Bridge, Scotia Gateway and The Independence Bridge.

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The search is on to find the name for Scotland’s newest iconic landmark – and you can have your say.

Keith Brown, Minister for Transport and Veterans, today launched a new campaign to find the future, permanent name for the Forth Replacement Crossing – Scotland’s biggest infrastructure project in a generation.

Members of the public can play their part by submitting their own suggestions before the end of January, 2013. An independent panel will then create a shortlist which will be open to a final public vote before the name is announced in the Summer of 2013.

Speaking at the introductory meeting of the new panel in Rosyth today, Mr Brown said:

“The Forth Replacement Crossing, as it is currently known, is an exciting, iconic and economically vital project that we want the people of Scotland to take pride in.

“We fully recognise that finding an appropriate name for the new bridge is a matter of considerable interest both locally and nationally.

“It is absolutely right then that the people of Scotland have the final say on the identity of this historic project.

“Along with members of the independent panel, we look forward to seeing the many creative and inspiring names the Scottish people submit.”

An advisory panel of independent civic, business and community representatives from across Scotland will consider all submissions. The panel, which meets today for the first time, will then shortlist names for a public vote in 2013 to decide the permanent name given to the bridge when it opens in 2016.

Hamira Khan, chief executive of the Scottish Youth Parliament, is one of the panel members. She said:

“The Scottish Youth Parliament are delighted to be part of the new Forth Bridge Advisory Panel.  It’s only right for the next generation of young Scots to provide their input as they’ll be the ones travelling across the bridge for years to come.

“We look forward to ensuring the views of young people are taken into account during this process so the new name truly reflects the wishes of the people of Scotland.”

Her colleague on the panel, Jan Short from North Queensferry Community Council, added:

“The building of this bridge is an historic event in the life of a village which is already steeped in history. The new bridge is very significant to the village of North Queensferry in many ways and it is important that we are represented on the Bridge naming Advisory Panel.”

Alan Simpson, chief executive of the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland and also a panel member, said:

“The ICE welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the selection of a name for such an important new bridge that sits alongside two internationally famous bridges. All of them will demonstrate to the world the skills and expertise of Scottish engineers.

“I hope that the excitement generated during the construction of the new Forth Crossing will inspire the next generation to become engineers in the same way as the construction of the Forth Road Bridge inspired me.”

Edinburgh West MP, Mike Crockart, and Thomas Docherty MP for Dunfermline and West Fife have also welcomed the news that the public will get to name the new bridge.

The MPs who represent the residents most affected by construction on both sides of the Forth have written to Scotland’s Transport Minister, Keith Brown, to make the case for local representation on the panel.

Commenting on the news, Mike Crockart whose Edinburgh West constituency includes South Queensferry said:

“I am very pleased that the public will get to name the latest bridge to span the Forth.

“This is a historic project for Scotland, but for locals and their families it is an opportunity to celebrate South Queensferry’s link with the Forth and the previous generations who gave so much to build the iconic rail bridge.

 “The construction impact on residents of local communities should not be underestimated or forgotten. Many of them have already fought hard to see improvements to the scheme’s design, and it would be an insult if they did not now get to put their ideas for a name forward.

“It is crucial that these local views are represented on the panel and given full and proper consideration.”

Thomas Docherty MP for Dunfermline and West Fife added:

“This is Scotland’s largest infrastructure project in a generation so I understand the need for national buy-in on the name. But it is those families and businesses living very close to the construction who are facing short term disruption.

“Knowing how much this project is affecting locals on both sides of the Forth, I am determined to ensure that their views on the name of the crossing are heard loud and clear by the Minister.

“Mike and I have previously made the case for naming the crossing “The Queensferry Bridge” in recognition of the communities on both the north and south sides, but I am sure that local residents will have their own ideas about what will make a fitting tribute.”

The public can register their suggestions online at ‘www.namethebridge.co.uk‘ or by calling 0845 259 1113, or by writing to: Forth Replacement Crossing Contact & Education Centre, Forth Road Bridge, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9SF.

Website users can also see if their preferred name has already been contributed, as well as viewing a selection of recent name suggestions.