27-5-02

BARRETT WELCOMES FORTH RAIL BRIDGE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

John Barrett MP, the Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today welcomed the news that Balfour Beatty has won the contract for the refurbishment of the Forth Rail Bridge.

Mr Barrett said:

"Many people have been rightly concerned and for some time about the poor state of the Rail Bridge. The £9 million investment this year should ensure that the process of restoring the Bridge to a decent condition is begun.

"A short term fix is not enough though. Railtrack must ensure that there is sustained investment in the long term to ensure this internationally recognised monument of Scottish architecture is never allowed to deteriorate to such a level ever again."

ENDS