29.05.12
World heritage site bid for the Forth Bridge
The Forth Bridge is to make a bid for Unesco world heritage status, as one of two UK sites chosen to put forward nominations.
The Forth Bridges Forum, including representatives from Historic Scotland, Network Rail, TransportScotland, the Forth Estuary Transport Authority, Fife Council and Edinburgh City Council, will prepare a bid for consideration in 2014 with a decision expected the following year.
Scottish culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “TheForthBridgeis a Scottish icon that is recognised the world over. We are extremely excited that we have the opportunity to make the case for the bridge being inscribed asScotland's sixth World Heritage Site.”
David Simpson, route managing director for Network RailScotland, said: “TheForthBridgeis one of the most recognisable bridges anywhere in the world and certainly the most cherished Scottish structure of the Victorian era.
“The bridge has become a source of pride and a symbol ofScotland’s resilience and ingenuity, but we must never lose sight of the fact that it is first and foremost a working structure which still carries over 200 trains a day.
“This nomination should be regarded as a further tribute to the thousands of men who have contributed to building, maintaining and restoring the structure over the last 130 years.”
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