Four bids for Forth Bridge

FOUR consortia are bidding to build and operate the pounds 400m second Forth Road Bridge, the Scottish Office announced yesterday, writes John Arlidge.

The groups - which comprise leading British, German and French construction companies, including Sir Robert McAlpine, Taylor Woodrow, Laing, Trafalgar House, Balfour Beatty and Tarmac - have submitted tenders for one of the biggest projects the Government wants privately financed.

Feasibility studies for the crossing and approach roads will be ready next month. The Government will decide whether the project will go ahead early next year.

The existing 1,000 ft suspension bridge, completed in 1964, has reached its 60,000 vehicles a day capacity and Scottish Office ministers say a new crossing, linking Edinburgh and Fife, is needed to cope with further increases in traffic.