New Forth bridge survives cutbacks 22 | 10 | 2010

THE NEW FORTH Bridge will go ahead, despite the UK being pummeled by sever financial cutbacks from Chancellor George Osborne. Despite Scotland's capital spending budget facing a real-terms cut of 38% over the next four years, Scottish Government Finance Secretary John Swinney has given his pledge that the £2.34 billion project will go ahead.

Swinney was quick to reassert his backing and commitment to the maga project, stating: "We have identified projects that are of a strategic nature that must go ahead. The Forth Replacement Crossing is one of those projects."

Further backing, which has come from all principal political parties including Labour, came from shadow Scottish Secretary Ann McKechin, but she highlighted: "Major infrastructure projects are clearly going to be at risk from this settlement and some difficult choices will have to be made by the Scottish Government."

Supporters of the new Forth Crossing also believe the vast undertaking can be funded by dipping into future budgets or by the Scottish Parliament borrowing against capital.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

Jim McGill