Forth Road Bridge News

Rope and Sling Specialists Ltd provided a below-the-hook solution to infrastructure management company Amey to lift a truck-mounted access platform during maintenance on the Forth Road Bridge in Scotland. Amey, on behalf of Transport Scotland, undertakes services associated with the operation, management and maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge and its approach roads. It carried out overnight repairs on the bridge last month (December). Rope and Sling provided a spreader beam lifting rig to lift a 35t Bronto Skylift (a mobile elevating work platform or MEWP) provided by Nationwide Platforms.

Aberdeen Harbour has appointed Pinsent Masons as legal adviser for its proposed Harbour Expansion Project. Pinsent Masons will advise on procurement, construction, funding, planning, environmental and property issues relating to the £410 million proposed project located south of the existing Aberdeen Harbour. The Nigg Bay facility is included in the Scottish Government’s National Planning Framework 3 (NPF3) and would meet future demand for deep berthing space for oil and gas and renewables sector vessels and could attract larger cruise ships to Aberdeen.

Plans to launch a £10 million high-speed ferry service linking Edinburgh to Fife moved a step closer to reality, as council chiefs invited marine experts to devise plans for the scheme, according to a report on Scotsman.com. Transport leaders believe a passenger ferry between Leith and Kirkcaldy will help to reduce congestion on the Forth Road Bridge and make a healthy profit for the operator. Fife Council has agreed to hire a firm of consultants to draw up detailed proposals. It is hoped that twin-hulled passenger ferries, with space for up to 350 people, would complete the Leith-Kirkcaldy route in just 17 minutes. Fife Council's area transportation manager today said the £10 million plans could get the green light by next summer.