Villagers at both sides of the Forth Bridge fear they are not ready to play host to a Unesco world heritage site.
A bid is being prepared to secure the designation for the rail bridge, which was opened in 1890 and is one of the world’s most impressive feats of engineering.
But both North Queensferry and South Queensferry community councils said their villages lacked the infrastructure required to accommodate an influx of tourists.
Christina McKenzie, from North Queensferry Community Council, said: “It really is a concern for the people of North Queensferry. We don’t have the infrastructure in the village to handle lots of visitors. In particular, North Queensferry has parking issues just with the residents who live here.”
Ms McKenzie also called for the picnic area at the north cantilever to be reopened. The area has been closed for years while Network Rail carry out maintenance on the bridge.
“They are going to have to tidy up the area if they are going for world heritage status. It’s a mess.”
On the other side of the Forth, Queensferry and District Community Council secretary Terry Airlie said: “It’s a double-edged sword. In principle, world heritage seems like a good idea but there are concerns about infrastructure. There are a lot of issues locally, in terms of facilities and in terms of parking.
“I have no doubt that something can be done. Something will have to be done. They have been talking about the number of projected visitors in five to 10 years’ time, and South Queensferry struggles at the moment.”
Mr Airlie added that Historic Scotland and Network Rail had been invited to speak at a public meeting, to discuss the world heritage site bid, on March 25.
Overseeing the bid is the Forth Bridge World Heritage Nomination Steering Group, which is a sub-group of the Forth Bridges Forum and includes community representatives.
Rebanks Consulting was commissioned to carry out a study of the potential benefits world heritage status would bring.
This included a consultation with residents, who highlighted the issues of car parking and increased tourism. It is understood the consultants aim to address these in a draft management plan to be consulted on this summer.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The Forth road and rail bridges are already well recognised icons of Scotland and offer some of our most breathtaking images.
“We are keen to build on the high level of public interest from home and abroad in the existing structures and the Forth Replacement Crossing, which has attracted over 7,600 suggestions via the ‘name the bridge’ process.
“The Forth Bridges Forum is managed by Transport Scotland, on behalf of Scottish ministers, to ensure that local stakeholders remain at the core of the management and operation of the Forth bridges.
“In addition, it provides a mechanism for promoting the location of the bridges as a unique tourist destination.
“Membership includes senior officials from Transport Scotland, Network Rail, FETA (Forth Estuary Transport Authority), City of Edinburgh Council, Fife Council, West Lothian Council, Historic Scotland and Visit Scotland.
“The forum is of the view that there is a market for a visitor attraction centred on the three Forth bridges, and will look at options for encouraging potential tourists to make a Forth bridges visitor attraction a must-see, must-do experience.
“Before committing too deeply to any specific ideas, it is essential that some analysis is undertaken and the technical feasibility of ideas are further explored.”
A Network Rail spokesman said: “The repainting and refurbishing of the Forth Bridge has been completed but we are still carrying out other work on the bridge. The area beneath the north cantilever remains cordoned off as it is still being used by our staff as part of their activities.
“Once the space is no longer required we will restore it to public use.”