A lack of cash to create a visitor centre at the Forth Bridge has given “breathing space” to villagers who fear an influx of hundreds of thousands of tourists.
Network Rail revealed it is yet to find money for the £15 million development which will include a viewing platform on the top of the Fife-side cantilever of the Forth Bridge, a bridge walk and a reception centre.
A residents group warned that the extra visitors drawn to one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks by the project would have swamped North Queensferry, and voiced relief at the delay.
Help Our North Queensferry (HONQ) hopes that the project, expected to attract 360,000 people a year, will now be rethought and replaced by something “more respectful” of the village.
Vice-chairman Brian Armstrong said: “For HONQ the resultant breathing space is a bonus.
“Our position is that visitors to our village are welcome, but that the Network Rail proposals to attract hundreds of thousands of extra visitors annually would have swamped our village, encumbered its narrow streets and destroyed its charm and peace.”
He claimed the unique relationship between the iconic Victorian structure and North Queensferry’s rural setting had been put to one side by Network Rail and VisitScotland.
He added: “We already welcome many visitors to our village, who come in greater numbers now that the railway bridge has World Heritage status.
“We want visitors to enjoy local sights and possibly stop for a bite, but we do not want a sudden step-change in visitor numbers as would have occurred under the Network Rail proposals.”
To complement the visitor centre, Fife Council also intends to create a pontoon at North Queensferry’s historic pier, where cruise ship passengers could disembark.
Network Rail initially hoped at least part of the development would be complete for the bridge’s 125th anniversary last year. The first stage of consultation with communities has been undertaken and designs for the visitor centre and bridge walk are nearly complete.
However, a planning application will not be submitted nor further consultation conducted until more funds are found.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “The main hurdle that we have still to negotiate is funding for our proposals.
“In 2015, Network Rail’s governance status changed from a privately- operated organisation to a public one.
“This has impacted the ways in which we can borrow and spend money and means that non-core railway opportunities, such as a Forth Bridge visitor centre, are less of a priority.
“That said, the business case that has been developed for the Forth Bridge Experience is strong and has been thoroughly tested by three independent sources.”