Forth Crossing Bill

Scottish Ministers introduced the Forth Crossing Bill to the Scottish Parliament on 16 November 2009. The Bill contains their proposals for the Forth Replacement Crossing and its introduction marked the start of the statutory consultation process.

The Bill was published on 17 November 2009 and can be viewed on the Scottish Parliament website. Transport Scotland produced a full suite of accompanying documents to support the Bill and staged public information exhibitions in November and December 2009 to make this documentation available for public inspection. These documents, as well as all previously published material, can be found in the more information section of this site.

The Scottish Parliament is currently considering objections and scrutinising the details of this Bill. There was a 60-day objection period which started on 17 November during which time objections to the Bill could be made to the Scottish Parliament.

By the closing date on 26 January, 89 objections had been submitted and Transport Scotland is reviewing and responding to objections received in writing and, where appropriate, through meetings. Transport Scotland is committed to resolving these objections where possible and the responses will help inform the ongoing work of the Parliament's Forth Crossing Bill Committee.

Details of the objections lodged can be found on the Scottish Parliament website.

Officials from the project team have also given evidence to the Committee as part of its consideration of the Forth Crossing Bill at Stage 1. See Official Reports.

The Official Report of the Finance Committee, which scrutinised the financial aspects of the Bill, is available.

The Official Report of the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee, which is scrutinising the public transport aspects of the Bill, is available. See Official Report.

On 12 May 2010 the Forth Crossing Bill Committee published their Stage 1 report and this was debated in the Scottish Parliament on 26 May. The Parliament voted on the general principles of the Forth Crossing Bill and on the financial resolution and agreed that it should proceed to Stage 2.

Bill Timeline

Scottish ministers introduced the Forth Crossing Bill on 16 November 2009. It is the first hybrid Bill of its type ever taken forward in Scotland and seeks authority to implement and build the new Forth Replacement Crossing. Parliamentary scrutiny is expected to be completed by December 2010.

The three parliamentary stages will run in parallel with the procurement process. Further details on the Bill Process are available on the Scottish Parliament website and in the leaflet published by the Scottish Parliament entitled Hybrid Bills - the Proposed Forth Crossing Bill.

November 2009 - May 2010: Stage 1 (Preliminary)

• Introduction of Bill and commencement of objection period for directly affected parties
• Committee established
• Committee calls for evidence and conducts preliminary consideration of objections as part of its consideration of General principles and produces a report incorporating evidence from other standing Committees (Finance/Subordinate Legislation)
• Report to Parliament
• Parliament vote on general principles
• Parliament vote on financial resolution

September 2010: Stage 2 (Consideration) Phase 1 (dealing with objections)

• Committee (may) appoints assessor
• Committee manages written correspondence process
• Assessor or Committee hears evidence
• Assessor's report
• Committee hears additional evidence (if appropriate) to inform its consideration and final decisions on objections

Phase 2 (amendments to Bill)

• Any MSP can bring forward amendments (including Ministers), but only Committee may vote

November 2010: Stage 3 (Final)

• Plenary session
• Amendments
• Approval of Bill

December 2010: Royal Assent*
* Assuming successful passing of Bill

Please note that all dates are illustrative and subject to the determinations of the Scottish Parliament.