Skip Navigation,Sitemap

Dunfermline Press

What should new Forth crossing be called?

Siew Peng Lee • Published 13 Jan 2011 09:00 Mobiles Print Comments 47 Comments

Jump to first paragraph.

Share this Facebook Twitter Google Buzz Delicious DIGG Reddit Stumbleupon Email RSS

click to enlarge
An artist's impression of the new crossing alongside the Forth Road Bridge.

CHILDREN of famous people sometimes find it difficult to step out of their parents' shadows.

The proposed £2.3billion Forth Replacement Crossing could find itself in a similar predicament.

For when it's built, it'll be right next to the two world-famous structures of the Forth bridges.

But unlike celebrity children, it'll probably escape the ridiculous monikers for something more pedestrian.

Yes, there are the jokes about the 'Fourth Forth Road Bridge' and the 'Fifth Forth Bridge' but Mid-Scotland and Fife Labour MSP John Park is hoping for a more serious discussion.

He's launched a campaign for the public to decide on a name, and has called on the Scottish Government for a public consultation.

He said, "The main thrust is that people get a say and now is the right time to do it and the other thing to remember is that over the next year or two we're going to see some real development in the area.

"There's a visitor centre where people can see the construction of the bridge and alongside the frenetic activity I want to get some debate going.

"The public should have a say in this and ministers and parliamentarians should be facilitating that."

Mr Park hopes local historical figures, such as Andrew Carnegie and Adam Smith, will be considered when it comes to naming the new crossing but personally wants the naval history of the area to be recognised.

He suggested calling the bridge after the HMS Ark Royal but admitted, "I take a very simple view of these things but having lived in this area all my life, no matter what it's called, I'll probably call it the 'new Forth Bridge'!

"But we have a proud naval history on both sides of the Forth –it's not just about creating employment which it has done but also the defence of our country, particularly in World War II."

Councillors and parliamentarians agreed that the public should decide the name.

Dunfermline East Labour MSP Helen Eadie said, "The name should be decided by the public not just parliamentarians.

"I applaud the suggestion that John Park put forward but I personally prefer the Jennie Lee Bridge.

"That might not chime with many people but she founded the Open University and gave opportunities to people across the land and one of the biggest services to the UK.

"She had such good acquaintances with this area and it'd be an excellent way to commemorate her memory."

Mrs Eadie said other names had been suggested by friends, namely the Prince of Wales Bridge, Adam Smith Bridge, Carnegie Bridge and Mary Sommerville Bridge, who already has an Oxford University college named after her.

Dunfermline West Lib Dem MSP Jim Tolson had "no particular favourites" but said, "There's a unique and important aspect to this new bridge.

"There'll be three iconic bridges in a very close location to each other, one for each century.

"The name that is selected has to be fitting and reflect the fact that we have a very unique situation."

Dunfermline and West Fife MP Thomas Docherty said there was "a temptation to name it after individuals" but felt the bridge should not be named after a politician.

He said, "Being a Pars fan I'd like to see it called the Leishman Bridge – or the McIntyre Bridge if we get promoted this season!

"We could call it the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, that would be the one I could think of if pushed for a name.

"There's the aircraft carriers connection but it's more neutral."

He said the name had to "reflect both banks of the Forth", adding, "The decision to name the bridge at Kincardine the Clackmannanshire Bridge was very controversial.

"If there's a lesson that comes out of that, it's whatever name that comes up is one that has to stick.

"I don't know anybody in Kincardine who calls it that – it's always 'the new Kincardine Bridge'.

"But if we had called it the Kingdom Bridge that would have offended as well.

"I suspect we will end up calling it 'the new Forth Bridge' informally but it does what it says on the tin."

Mr Docherty urged the SNP Government to have "a transparent process of naming the bridge".

He said, "I'd suggest they publish a shortlist and open it up to the public and do a further round of consultations, though I'd advise them not to go down the X Factor route by asking the public to call or send their texts in!"

He plans to write to his Edinburgh West counterpart Mike Crockart, explaining, "I'm going to ask for a joint approach and if we can come up with a name that communities on both sides of the Forth can live with, so we don't pitch South Queensferry and Edinburgh against Fife."

Fife was involved in a hotly-contested three-way battle with Clackmannanshire and Falkirk councils in 2008 over the naming of the £120million Upper Forth Crossing at Kincardine, later named the Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Clackmannanshire launched a massive 'people power' publicity campaign, which included balloons, T-shirts, mugs, umbrellas, postcards, letters and even a promotional battle bus, aimed at getting Clackmannanshire residents to back the 'Wee County' and sign a petition which was then submitted to the Scottish Government.

West Fife Villages Independent councillor Willie Ferguson, who suggested naming the crossing 'Kingdom Bridge', said he'd stick by it for the new bridge.

However, he said, "The public should have a say – it should not be political.

"I honestly believe that was what happened with the new Kincardine bridge and it's a shame because it detracted from the engineering success.

"I'd like it to start with local schools at the bridgehead, it's right for them to play a part in this and be involved.

"It's a major engineering project in their time and they'll probably never see the likes of it again."

Claire Ewing, Member of the Scottish Youth Parliament for Dunfermline West, supported the 'Kingdom Bridge' – as did outgoing Carnegie College principal Professor Bill McIntosh, who also favoured 'Carnegie Bridge' and 'Queen Margaret Bridge'.

He joked, "The other more novel suggestions are the Rickety Bridge, the Ferry Bridge and the Dental Bridge – but we're getting a bit jet-lagged with that one!"

'Queensferry Bridge' is also a popular choice – though it could send GPS users the wrong way.

Dalgety Bay historian Eric Simpson explained, "The Queensferry Bridge would be very good but I think there's already one in Wales so it might be confusing!

"It should be a name that reflects the local community. We could call it St Margaret's Bridge or St David's Bridge, after David I of Scotland, and there's a harbour of St David's nearby."

Councillor Tony Martin, chair of Fife Council's environment, enterprise and transport committee, also plumped for 'Queensferry Bridge', saying, "The other name I'd go for is the Queen Margaret Bridge.

"It was the first crossing in a similar area and it's right that it should be something that reflects the history of the area."

Inverkeithing and Dalgety Bay Tory councillor Dave Dempsey said it had to be named for Fife, adding, "It's a bridge for Fife, not Edinburgh, but the 'Queensferry Bridge' would satisfy both sides.

"It's going to be difficult to call it anything else than the 'Forth Something Bridge' because it's so close to the other two.

"But it's far more important that the bridge gets built, than what to name it."

Thomas Moffat, who owns and maintains the Visit Dunfermline website, said, "As an international name, 'Queensferry Bridge' is very good.

"But you'll always have a colloquial name for it and it could just be known locally as the new crossing."

Another supporter was Alastair Bruce, chair of the Dunfermline and West Fife Local Tourism Association.

He said, "It's better than the 'new Forth Bridge' but it'll always end up with a slang name.

"Some people have suggested 'Gateway to Fife' or Gateway to Edinburgh' which is just crazy because it depends on the direction you're going!"

Janet Torley, Fife Federation of Small Businesses chair, joked that it could be called The Giant White Rabbit.

However, she added, "It's far too early to be calling for competitions for names.

"It smacks of political spin when the real issues are not being addressed. How about 'A Bridge Too Far'?

"The chances of finishing it within the time budget is probably next to nil and there's a real issue of engagement with local businesses and ensuring that small businesses on both sides of the water benefit from the contract when it's awarded."

Dunfermline comedian Ross 'Teddy' Craig, named best up-and-coming comedian at last year's Scottish Variety Awards,said, "Maybe we could take a tip from football clubs and sell the naming rights – the JJB bridge, in honour of the establishment providing the shellsuits for so many of the people who may end up using it?

"I do have a serious suggestion too – in tribute to the naval history of the area – the Samuel Greig Bridge, in honour of the Inverkeithing-born Admiral seen as Father of the Russian Navy.

"His achievements were pretty impressive but he doesn't seem particularly well recognised in the country of his birth."

Pars legend Jim Leishman proposed 'Welcome to the Real World Bridge', as "Fife is the real world".

He said, "It's a fantastic place to stay, don't underestimate it. We should be proud of where we stay and what we have achieved in this area."

When told about the proposed 'Leishman Bridge', Leish groaned, "Oh no no. The Leishman Bridge. My God! That's a wee bit over the top!"

l What do you think the Forth Replacement Crossing should be called? Comment on this article or vote in our online poll.

Have your say. Post a comment on this article.

Post a comment

Registered users log in here

You must be logged in to post. If you have not registered with us, please do so now.

Registration only takes a few minutes. Registered users do not have to complete word verification once logged in and can also take part in competitions and other registered user only features of the site.


Enter the text as shown.

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.

Vote

Dunfermline Press Poll

Were the Pars right to sack Jim McIntyre?

This Poll is now closed.

Yes (72.9%)

No (27.1%)

Peony Inn Chinese Restaurant
alt : http://www.itsindunfermline.co.uk/

Most Read

  1. Anger as Pars fan taken out for throwing ball back
  2. Accident and fire blocks road
  3. Labour set to take power in Fife
  4. Family's debt after baby's tragic death
  5. Bored patients complain about lack of TVs at Vic
  6. 'Game, set and match' over cause of Bay contamination

» View More Stories

Competitions

» See all competitions

Hot Jobs

Your social, local Business Directory - It's in Dunfermline • It's in The Directory • Directory Network

Copyright ©2012 Forth Weekly Press, Pitreavie Business Park, Dunfermline, Fife, KY11 8QS • Tel: 01383 728201 • Fax: 01383 737040

FacebooK Twitter RSS Feeds