IT'S the prestigious post overseeing one of the biggest engineering projects ever built in Edinburgh.
But transport bosses today came under fire after it emerged the £110,000-a-year project director for the new Forth crossing will be based in Glasgow.
Transport Scotland is advertising the job of heading up the £2 billion project as an "opportunity of unprecedented scale". The government agency said the successful candidate would need to be able to deliver the project despite "high levels of public scrutiny" and "intense media pressure".
But its decision to base the role at Transport Scotland's Glasgow base has drawn criticism.
Margaret Smith, Liberal Democrat MSP for Edinburgh West, said: "Clearly, I would expect the project director for a project of this size to spend a fair amount of their time on site. This is the biggest infrastructure project Scotland has ever seen. It can't really be handled from 50 miles away.
"It's a Transport Scotland post, so they will have to be spending part of their time in Glasgow. But certainly, what we would expect is somebody not spending all their time behind a desk in Glasgow but actually here on the ground."
Tory Lothians MSP Gavin Brown said: "I'd have thought a project director needs to be on the ground as much as possible, particularly given the concerns of residents on both sides of the Forth.
"I would describe the handling of the project so far as patchy. They have done some things fairly well, but have been criticised by residents' groups. Some of the engagement (with residents] could have been better."
The decision to use an English headhunting company – London-based Rockpools – to lead the search, instead of a Scottish firm, also came under fire from Scottish Tories.
The parliamentary process to pass the bridge bill is expected to begin this year, with construction starting in 2011. The crossing, estimated to cost £1.7-£2.3bn, is expected to be finished by 2016.
Earlier this week it emerged the project had attracted just two potential bidders because of fears over cost increases and funding. Industry experts said other firms had been frightened off by potentially having to shoulder unexpected cost increases in the giant fixed-price contract.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "The advertisement clearly states the project director for the Forth Replacement Crossing will work initially in Glasgow, given that is where Transport Scotland is headquartered.
"As the project moves towards delivery, it is likely the project director and his team will spend a significant amount of time in Edinburgh and eventually on site, both as the bill is guided through the parliamentary process and as construction progresses."
Prepare for 'world's most expensive bus lane'THE FORTH Road Bridge could become the "world's most expensive bus lane", campaigners warned.
Transport chiefs want to use the existing bridge as a dedicated public transport corridor once the new crossing is built.
But Queensferry and District Community Council, which represents residents living close to the site of the new bridge, called on the Scottish Government to keep the existing bridge open to cars and light vans.
The organisation also called for a direct link between the new bridge and the M9 motorway.
Tom Martin, the organisation's chairman, said: "There is a real danger that the existing bridge will have the doubtful distinction of being the world's most expensive bus lane.
"We are taking a national view."
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www.transportscotland.gov.uk/projects/forth-replacement-crossing