Forth Road Bridge bosses take positive view of visitor centre plan

AN office block built just two years ago to handle the Forth Road Bridge tolls is set to be finally put into use – as a visitor attraction.

Bridge bosses want to make more of the spectacular views of both bridges from their headquarters in South Queensferry.

They are planning a £1 million revamp of the rundown car park which would see a new surface, landscaping and picnic areas installed in a bid to make the most of the area. A new cafe is also planned for an empty retail unit next to the car park.

And there are also proposals to convert the unused office block next to the FETA headquarters into a bridges visitor centre. The offices were built for bridge operator FETA in 2006 as part of a £5m package of works to revamp the bridge's toll booths but are only partially used following the decision to scrap tolls by the Government.

The Forth Bridges Visitor Centre Trust has been looking at converting disused buildings at North Queensferry station into a visitor centre, but will visit the FETA offices in the coming weeks to see if they offer a suitable alternative.

Bridgemaster Barry Colford said: "We're keen to improve the facilities available to the public at the Forth Road Bridge.

"Our car park is set in a stunning location with spectacular views of both bridges, but at the moment it is in need of repair and doesn't offer much apart from public toilets and the view. We're already investigating the possibility of providing a home for the Forth Bridges Visitor Centre and we're now renewing efforts to provide a layout for the car park that will provide a much more attractive environment for tourists, customers and staff."

The bridges visitor centre was housed in a North Queensferry hotel until last year and the trust has been on the lookout for a new home since.

Among the archives which will be stored at the new visitor centre is film of the construction of the Forth Road Bridge.

FETA earlier this year gave £30,000 to the visitor centre trust to gather and digitise all available footage of the bridge – including a rarely-seen film made to mark its opening in 1964. The original colour film was thought to be lost until recently, when it was discovered by a former FETA member at the back of a cupboard.

It is also envisaged that archive footage of the rail bridge would also go on show at the visitor centre, along with a live video feed showing the construction of the new Forth crossing when it gets under way.

Councillor George Grubb, the city's lord provost and Almond ward councillor, said: "It is an interesting idea, I think South Queensferry needs a visitor centre and that point you do get a good view of the estuary."

However, he added: "The downside could be that bus tours and the likes might not go into Queensferry itself and the shops and restaurants towards the Hawes might suffer."

Nobody from the visitor centre trust was available for comment.

• www.forthbridges.org.uk