Forth Replacement Crossing name shortlist revealed

A panel of judges has revealed a shortlist of five names for the new Forth Replacement Crossing.

Civic, business and community representatives looked at 7,000 suggestions submitted by the public.

The five names are Caledonia Bridge, Firth of Forth Crossing, Queensferry Crossing, Saltire Crossing and St Margaret's Crossing.

The shortlist for the state-of-the-art wind-shielding bridge will now go to a public vote.

Construction of the £790m bridge began last year and is due to finish in 2016.

Transport Minister Keith Brown said the new bridge was the biggest infrastructure project in Scotland for a generation.

"This hugely significant work is vital for the future of the nation's economy, and the naming process has clearly captured the imagination of the public across all walks of life," he said.

"The Forth Bridge was constructed in the 19th century, the Forth Road Bridge in the 20th century and now we are building a new crossing for the 21st century."

Hamira Khan, chief executive of the Scottish Youth Parliament, who was on the panel who chose the shortlist of names, said: "So many wonderful and clever names were submitted and a few funny ones were thrown in too.

"Drawing up the shortlist was no easy task, but I am confident that the final name chosen will truly reflect the wishes of the people of Scotland."

Alan Simpson, former chair of the Institution of Civil Engineers Scotland, said the new bridge would show off the development of bridge technology over a period of 125 years.

Voting will run until 7 June, with the most popular choice being formally announced towards the end of the month.

Votes can be cast at the Name the Bridge website.