<P> In 2007, the Forth Replacement Crossing Study was commissioned by Transport Scotland to examine various options for new bridges or tunnels across the Forth . The report recommended adoption of a cable - stayed bridge, located to the west of the Forth Road Bridge, as the preferred solution . The study concluded that this option was significantly cheaper than a tunnel, would take less time to construct, and would represent better value for money, though it was noted that a tunnel would have fewer environmental impacts . In December 2007 finance secretary John Swinney announced that a new cable - stayed bridge would be constructed, with an estimated cost of between £ 3.25 billion and £ 4.22 billion . He claimed it would be "the largest construction project in a generation in Scotland". </P> <P> There was opposition to the project on environmental, traffic and cost grounds . The ForthRight Alliance, an umbrella group including Friends of the Earth, the Scottish Green Party, the RSPB, sustainable transport groups and other local organisations, opposed the scheme as being "both unwelcome and unnecessary". Another group, Forth Tunnel Action Group, campaigned for a tunnel as the solution with lowest costs and fewest long - term environmental impacts . </P> <P> It was initially suggested that the new bridge would be funded via the Scottish Futures Trust, an alternative to public - private partnership funding for major public - sector schemes . However, the Scottish Government announced in December 2008 that public funding would be used . As part of the Scottish Government's Strategic Transport Projects Review, the new Forth crossing was priced at between £ 1.72 billion and £ 2.34 billion . Under the revised scheme, the existing bridge will be retained for public transport, cyclists and pedestrians, and the new bridge was to be operational by 2016 . </P> <P> A joint venture between consultancies Arup and Jacobs was appointed as project manager, and in February 2008 environmental and technical studies were begun, continuing through 2009 . Public consultations were held, and some changes to the scheme were made in response to the comments received . An environmental statement was published in November 2009, coinciding with the introduction of the Forth Crossing Bill into the Scottish Parliament by John Swinney . A majority of MSPs voted in favour of the new legislation on 16 December 2010, and the Forth Crossing Act received Royal Assent in January 2011 . </P>

Who is paying for the new forth bridge