Travel Choices For Scotland - Upper Forth Crossing - Winter 2002

Problems at Kincardine

The southern approach viaduct to Kincardine Bridge has deteriorated, is propped temporarily and requires reconstruction in the medium term.

Existing traffic flows in Kincardine cause noise, pollution, visual intrusion, road safety dangers and severance for the local community.

Peak traffic flows far exceed the capacity of the roundabout in Kincardine resulting in delays to traffic and rat-runs through the local streets.

Project Strategy

The preferred option for a new crossing at Kincardine is:

• to construct a second bridge upstream of the existing for Alloa traffic;
• to replace the existing southern approach viaduct and refurbish the existing bridge for Fife traffic;
• to provide a Link Road to the south-east of Kincardine to remove Fife traffic from the village.

To deliver some early traffic relief to Kincardine, the Eastern Link Road (ELR) is being promoted ahead of the main crossing.

Project Status

Main Crossing Study

The consultants taking forward the project - the Babtie Group and Faber Maunsell - have completed their comparative assessment of the alternative routes considered for the new crossing.

The preferred route which will be provided through Statutory Procedures is that through the former Kincardine Power Station. The line of the proposed route is shown below

This route performed better compared to the alternatives when assessed overall against the criteria of Environment, Economics, Safety, Accessibility and Integration.

The scheme will involve:

• the grade separation of the existing Bowtrees roundabout;
• the upgrading of the existing A876 between Bowtrees and Kincardine Bridge to dual carriageway standard;
• construction of a new roundabout junction at Higgins Neuk;
• a new wide single carriageway link across the Forth through the power station grounds to join into a new roundabout just east of the existing Gartarry roundabout.

Eastern Link Road

The necessary Road Orders and Compulsory Purchase Order were made on 5 July 2002.

An artist's impression of how the road will look is shown below.

Contractors are now pricing the construction work and are due to submit their tenders in February 2003.

A contract is expected to be awarded in the Spring and construction work will start in the Summer. Further information relating to the construction phase of the project will be provided nearer the time.

Further progress on the main crossing will depend on the public reaction to the published proposals.