Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser | News | It's the Clackmannanshire Bridge

Tuesday, 6th January, 2009

Published: Wednesday, 1st October, 2008 12:30

It's the Clackmannanshire Bridge

By Kevin McRoberts

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The Clackmannanshire Bridge

THE campaign led by Clackmannanshire Council, Ochil MSP Keith Brown and the Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser to have the new Upper Forth Crossing named the Clackmannanshire Bridge has been successful.

The campaign attracted considerable support from the people of the Wee County and persuaded Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson to name the crossing the Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Keith Brown MSP said, “I am elated that the huge campaign – representing the loud and clear opinion of my constituents in Clackmannanshire – has been a complete and total success.

"The Alloa & Hillfoots Advertiser did an excellent job in getting the local community involved in what was a first-rate campaign.

"And everyone who wrote to the Minister in support of the name, including many of the Wee County’s school children deserve to be congratulated.

"Recognition must also be given to Councillor Eddie Carrick at Clackmannanshire Council for his part in the process. I am sure the fact that the local community whole-heartedly supported the name had a positive impact on the final decision.

"Along with the improved road links into Clackmannanshire, I firmly believe that naming the bridge after the County will literally put us on the map, and bring real benefits in terms of awareness of the Wee County.

"I recall a conversation I had with Provost Derek Stewart where he promised to buy me a drink should my representations that the crossing be named the Clackmannanshire Bridge be successful – all I can say is 'make mine a pint Derek!'.”

Councillor Carrick added, "The council, Keith and the Advertiser put together an excellent campaign and it was the support of the people which ensured it was a success.

"I'm delighted. This decision will really put Clackmannanshire on the map!"

Tricia Stevenson

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Oct 2 08 08:21

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Brilliant!! Well done Clackmannanshire.

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hazelkaye

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Oct 2 08 10:21

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Yes. WELL DONE CLACKMANNANSHIRE - but it\'s going to need HUGE road signs to display \"Kincardine and CLackmannanshire Bridges\"! I just hope it isn\'t shortened to \"Clacks Bridge\"!!!

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Sandy Robertson

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Oct 3 08 09:19

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I am dissapointed that the executive have plumped for the name \"Clacks Bridge\", as nobody can even be bothered to write it in full on a postal address. It doesn`t show much imagination does it? Surely with a little forward thinking they could have come up with something original. I`m sure there was no end of better suggestions.

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stuart

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Oct 3 08 16:58

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Is this the best they could come up with? how very original.

Perhaps if the bridge crossed a bit closer to Alloa this would make more sense, but as it's going to Kincardine which is usually classed as a Fife Area, it hardly seems like the best name for the bridge.

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J mcdonald

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Oct 3 08 17:18

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I feel Clackmannanshire Council threw enough money away to get this I feel the name should have been kept the "Upper Forth crossing" and the money spent could have went to better causes I would like to know what the cost was to campaign to have the bridge named by all Councils involved.

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I Ross

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Oct 3 08 20:55

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A horrible name for a horrible bridge!

This has been a missed opportunity to create something individual and distinctive instead of the Tay Road Bridge clone that is now blighting the landscape. I think the other councils will be pleased that their name is not attached to this 'Cumbernauld' of bridges.

As for the name, surely there are/have been notable locals within the bridge's catchment area whose name would have been a more suitable attachement to the crossing - the 'Canavan Crossing' perhaps - although would anyone want their name associated with the 'Boring Bridge'?

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I Ross

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Oct 3 08 22:07

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A horrible name for a horrible bridge!

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L. Todd

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Oct 4 08 11:59

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As a resident of Shropshire, instead of a parochial competition between Fife and Clackmannanshire to name the new Upper Forth Crossing what was wrong with, on the year after the three hundreth anniversary of his birth, calling it after the great Scottish civil engineer Thomas Telford?

The people of Staffordshire had such love and admiration for their brilliant 'Scotch' County Surveyor Telford that they named their principle county town after the great man!

Wherever you travel in Telford(and Wrekin)and throughout Shropshire you will see public buildings, churches, bridges and places named after this remarkable Scotsman!

We English wonder: Why is it the Scots, who have produced so many brilliant scientists, engineers, doctors, inventors, et al, still fail to recognise these great men?

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