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STV News
20-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Queensferry Crossing: Ballot opens to public for guided tour inside iconic bridge
Members of the public will be able to ballot for an exclusive guided tour inside the Queensferry Crossing. In September, as part of Doors Open Day, 180 visitors will get to see the interior of the £1.3bn bridge, led by Transport Scotland's operating company BEAR Scotland. The winners will be offered a unique glimpse at the structure's inner workings, with ten lucky winners taken up the highest tower to take in views over the Forth of Firth. It will be the first event of its kind on the UK's tallest bridge, which opened in 2017. While there will be no charge for the tours, donations to charity will be welcomed. All money raised will go to BEAR Scotland's national charity partner Chest, Heart & Stroke Scotland. STV News Nick Forbes, Bear Scotland's bridge manager, said: 'We're really excited to offer members of the public the chance to see Queensferry Crossing for the first time. 'Over 75,000 use the bridge every day, but very few people get to come and see inside the bridge, how it operates, and the job we do to maintain the structure. 'People will come onto the abutment and see main elements including the maintenance structure and various components – bearings, expansion joints, cable stays. There will be guides to explain different aspects and the real workings of the bridge. 'This is one of the best views of the Forth, no doubt about it – nearly 210 metres up. Visitors are offered raffle tickets for a trip up here themselves. 'It's a unique experience to get inside here – apart from the people who work here, very few members of the public get the chance to get inside the structure. 'Part of it is to showcase what we do – we're passionate about maintaining a fantastic structure, and raising money for a fantastic charity as well.' STV News The towers of the Queensferry Crossing are 207 metres (679 feet) high above high tide, making the Queensferry Crossing the tallest bridge in the UK. The towers are also higher than the Forth Road Bridge, which is 156 metres high. Anne Magarin, Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland's corporate fundraising manager, got the chance to climb the bridge's North Tower. 'My favourite part has been overcoming my fear of heights to be on top – but the views are incredible! It makes it worth it going up there.' The charity provides vital support services to people and their families who are living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition and Long Covid. STV News Around one million in Scotland are living with such conditions – an estimated one in five across the country. Anne added: 'We're absolutely delighted to be part of this to raise money for the cause. It's an absolute privilege. 'One call to our advice line costs £12.50. The more money we raise, the more calls we can cover. It also gives us publicity, which is important – people know they can get in touch. 'On the day, people can come here, get their raffle tickets, go on the tours and hopefully be one of the lucky ones to go up to the North Tower.' Guided tours will depart every 20 minutes on September 27 from the bridge office in South Queensferry. Tours will last 90 minutes, visiting parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including the interior of the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge's cable stays are anchored. A total of 180 places will be available, allocated via a random ballot which will go live later in July. Members of the public are encouraged to follow @setrunkroads and @theforthbridges on X to be first in line when the ballot opens. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scottish Sun
04-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Scottish landmark to open its doors for exciting first-of-its-kind tour
Some lucky guests will get the chance to win an amazing experience FINGERS CROSSED Iconic Scottish landmark to open its doors for exciting first-of-its-kind tour Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SCOTS will be able to get a one-of-a-kind tour of one of the country's most iconic landmarks. Punters will be able to get an inside look of the Queensferry Crossing later this year. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Queensferry Crossing will be opening its doors to the public Credit: AFP 4 Punters will get to see parts of the bridge normally closed off Credit: Alamy 4 The tours will be over one day Credit: Getty The bridge is the newest of the Forth Road Bridges and connects Edinburgh to Fife across the Firth of Forth. It was completed in August 2017 and is used by 80,000 drivers every single day. But there are parts of the UK's tallest bridge completely unknown to the public, but they will soon get a chance to find out about them. BEAR Scotland, the firm operating the bridge, are offering free guided tours as part of their Doors Open Day. Staff will be taking members of the public around the area they normally don;t get access to. The tours will be visiting parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including inside the the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge's cable stays are anchored. All of the tours will last 90 minutes and will be held on September 27. But people wanting to go will need to be quick as there are only 180 spaces available. They will be given out through a random ballot which will open later this month. The ballot will be shared on the Forth Bridges and South East trunk roads X accounts. Everyone who attends will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for one of five trips for two to the top of the Queensferry Crossing's main towers. Despite the free price tag, anyone who gets onto one of the tours has been asked to donate to the BEAR Scotland's partner charity, Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East Bridges Manager, said: 'For the past three years we've held successful Doors Open Day events at the Forth Road Bridge, and this year we want to offer a similar opportunity for members of the public to get behind the scenes at the Queensferry Crossing. 'The tours will give people an unprecedented chance to see the bridge up close in areas normally inaccessible to the public, and to learn from the engineers who manage and maintain this iconic structure. 'Last year's Forth Road Bridge Doors Open Day attracted over 12,000 applications, and we expect a similar level of demand for this event. 'Hopefully we can raise lots of money for a great cause in Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland."
Scotsman
03-07-2025
- Scotsman
Queensferry Crossing open day 2025: How to be in with a chance to get tickets
Residents can be in with a chance of seeing a South Queensferry landmark like never before this year as part of Doors Open Days 2025. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... In September, 180 lucky people will be able to enjoy free guided tours of the interior of the Queensferry Crossing deck - the first event of its kind on the UK's tallest bridge. Tickets are expected to be released later this month, but residents are up against steep competition, with last year's Forth Road Bridge open day event attracting over 12,000 applicants. A total of 180 places will be available, allocated via a random ballot which will open later this month. Members of the public are encouraged to follow @setrunkroads and @theforthbridges on X to be first in line when the ballot opens. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Guided tours of the Queensferry Crossing will depart every 20 minutes on 27 September Hosted by Transport Scotland's operating company BEAR Scotland, the 90-minute tours will allow visitors to see parts parts of the Queensferry Crossing normally closed to the public, including the interior of the box girder deck and the central reservation where the bridge's cable stays are anchored. Commentary will be provided by experienced staff members and everyone who attends will have the chance to enter a charity prize draw for one of five trips for two to the top of the Queensferry Crossing's main towers. There will be no charge for the tours, however donations to charity will be welcomed with all proceeds going to BEAR Scotland's national charity partner Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland. David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East bridges manager, said: 'For the past three years we've held successful Doors Open Day events at the Forth Road Bridge, and this year we want to offer a similar opportunity for members of the public to get behind the scenes at the Queensferry Crossing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'The tours will give people an unprecedented chance to see the bridge up close in areas normally inaccessible to the public, and to learn from the engineers who manage and maintain this iconic structure. 'Last year's Forth Road Bridge Doors Open Day attracted over 12,000 applications, and we expect a similar level of demand for this event. Hopefully we can raise lots of money for a great cause in Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.'
Scotsman
11-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scotsman
Major 4-month project to refurbish bridge over M8 to start this month
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now A major project to refurbish a bridge carrying the B792 local road over the M8 between Bathgate and Blackburn will get under way this month. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... BEAR Scotland will begin works on Monday, May 19 with the project expected to last for four months. Planned works on the structure include steelwork and concrete repairs | Google Maps This will require a variety of traffic restrictions on the M8 between Junction 3A and 4, including contraflow, lane closures, speed restrictions and overnight carriageway closures during the works period. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Planned works on the structure include steelwork repairs, concrete repairs, installation of cathodic protection to increase the longevity of concrete elements, and repainting of all existing steelwork. David Bishop, BEAR Scotland's South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: 'The bridge over the M8 between Bathgate and Blackburn requires extensive refurbishment works to address defects and to extend its service life so that it continues to provide safe access over the motorway for local communities.' For the latest traffic information you can visit the Traffic Scotland website.
The Sun
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major motorway to CLOSE this weekend with extensive works to bring traffic to a halt
ROADWORKS have been planned for the M8 this weekend with motorists warned of serious delays. Motorists have been warned to expect delays of nearly an hour and have been asked to consider alternative routes. 2 Between Saturday, May 10 and Monday, May 13, motorists travelling Eastbound on the M8 will experience serious delays. A series of overnight closures on the same route are expected throughout the start of next week. A diversion will be set up taking drivers along the nearby B7066 and B7057. Anyone still using the M8 Eastbound this weekend have been warned to expect delays of up to 45 minutes. Major resurfacing works, carried out by BEAR Scotland, are planned with traffic flow restricted between junctions 5 and 4A. Transport Scotland's operating company, BEAR Scotland, will be resurfacing 1.25 kilometres of the motorway. The stretch of road between junctions 5 and 4A will be restricted to a single lane 24 hours a day. A contraflow will be set up on the stretch of motorway which will limit the flow of traffic. BEAR Scotland have said that the works are expected to cause delays of up to 45 minutes. Overnight closures will be in place over the coming days and at the start of next week, these are part of the planned resurfacing. Tommy Deans, BEAR Scotland's South East Network Manager, said: 'This section of the M8 eastbound is nearing the end of its serviceable life and it is essential that we replace the road surface now before it deteriorates. 'A 24-hour contraflow is necessary due to the depth of construction and to allow for sustainable construction techniques, including the recycling of hazardous material within the construction of the new road surface. 'Traffic modelling indicates estimated delays for eastbound traffic of over 45 minutes, so we're warning road users to expect long delays and consider alternative routes. 'Those travelling east from the Glasgow area should consider the M80/M9 corridor as an alternative. 'We thank road users for their patience and understanding.' 2 A series of overnight closures are also planned for tonight and the 13, 14, 15 and 16 of May. Tonight's overnight closure will see the Eastbound M8 closed between junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00. On the 13, 14, 15 and 16 of May the Eastbound M8 will be closed between junctions 5 and 4A from 20:30 until 06:00. To allow for contraflow to be set up and removed the motorway will be closed overnight before resurfacing work commences and after it finishes. Both the M3 and M27 are also facing delays this weekend with the two major routes being closed for resurfacing. The two motorways will be closed at various times between May 9 and May 13 for resurfacing work.
