Forth Crossing Act 2011

The Forth Crossing Bill became an act of Parliament on 20 January 2011 and provides powers to the Scottish Ministers to construct a new crossing over the Firth of Forth to the west of the Forth Road Bridge.

The scheme comprises:

• the construction of the new crossing and connecting roads to link to the road network;
• the upgrading of existing roads and junctions; and changes to the designation and responsibility of ownership of specified existing roads.

The Act will come into force on the following dates:

• Parts 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10, schedules 9 and 10
  • 03 February 2011
• Parts 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, schedules 1 – 8 and 11     
  • 18 March 2011

Forth Crossing Bill Process

Scottish Ministers introduced the Forth Crossing Bill to the Scottish Parliament on 16 November 2009 outlining proposals for the Forth Replacement Crossing and published the Bill on 17 November 2009, this 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.

As part of the Parliamentary process there was a 60-day objection period during which time objections to the Bill could be made to the Scottish Parliament. In total 90 objections were submitted. Details of the objections lodged can be found on the Scottish Parliament website.

Officials from the project team gave evidence at various Committee sessions as part of its consideration of the Forth Crossing Bill at Stage 1 and Stage 2. See Official Reports.

Forth Crossing 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.

The three parliamentary stages ran 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

Forth Crossing Bill 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)

Forth Crossing Bill Committee published their Stage 1 report

Stage 1 debate. The Parliament voted on the general principles of the Forth Crossing Bill and on the Financial Resolution and agreed it should proceed to Stage 2.

June – November 2010: Stage 2 (Consideration) Phase 1 (dealing with objections)

Committee appoints assessor Prof Hugh Begg

Committee manages written correspondence process with the Promoter and Objectors

Assessor hears evidence from the Promoter and Objectors

Assessor reports his findings to the Forth Crossing Committee and publish their Stage 2 report

Phase 2 (amendments to Bill)

Stage 2 debate

December 2010: Stage 3 (Final)

Stage 3 debate