A feasibility study has identified two concepts to provide access to the iconic Scottish rail bridge. One is for a visitor centre and viewing platform linked by a lift in North Queensferry while the other involves a smaller base to coordinate guided walks to the top of the south tower in South Queensferry.

The North Queensferry proposals would see a building created under the northern Fife Tower offering education and exhibition facilities alongside catering and shopping. The centre would be connected by a step-free ramp to two lifts on the eastern side of the bridge. The lifts would offer access to a viewing platform at the top of the bridge, 110m above sea level.

On the south side, a pod-style building is proposed to coordinate guided walks on the structure for groups of up to 15 people. The building would be developed on Network Rail owned land underneath the southern approach span, just a short walk from Dalmeny Station.

The walk would see access permitted along the south approach span on an existing walkway underneath the track, followed by a climb to the top of the southern Queensferry Tower using a walkway within the top cantilever.

The two concepts would cost an estimated US$18 million to US$23 million to deliver.

Network Rail Scotland route managing director David Simpson said: “After 10 years spent restoring the bridge to its full glory, and in advance of the application for world heritage listing, these plans will offer the public the chance to visit the bridge and see it ‘close-up’ for the first time. We are hugely excited by these proposals and believe that they have the potential to be developed into an important new visitor attraction for Scotland.

“While these plans are still at development stage, we believe that the options we have revealed today can be delivered without impacting the well loved view of the bridge. Any infrastructure on the bridge will be less visible than the existing scaffold platform and all buildings designs will be of premium quality.”

The aim is to have the plans at least partially realised by 2015 to coincide with the bridge’s 125th anniversary. 

Images and more information about the proposals can be found at www.forthbridgeexperience.com