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Forth Bridge World Heritage decision expected Forth Bridge given world heritage status
(about 11 hours later)
A decision on whether the Forth Bridge will become Scotland's sixth Unesco World Heritage Site is expected to be announced later. The Forth Bridge has become the sixth Scottish landmark to be awarded Unesco World Heritage Site status.
The UN's heritage committee is discussing whether the bridge meets its criteria at a meeting in Germany. The decision was announced at a meeting in the German city of Bonn after the UN's heritage committee spent more than a year considering its nomination.
Inspectors have already recommended that the bid is approved. World heritage status is given to sites of "outstanding universal value" with the aim of protecting them for future generations.
The distinctive red bridge has carried trains over the Forth since 1890.
Scotland's other World Heritage Sites are New Lanark, St Kilda, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh, Neolithic Orkney and the Antonine Wall.Scotland's other World Heritage Sites are New Lanark, St Kilda, the Old and New Towns in Edinburgh, Neolithic Orkney and the Antonine Wall.
The bridge, which spans the Firth of Forth between South Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh and North Queensferry in Fife, was opened in 1890 after eight years of construction.The bridge, which spans the Firth of Forth between South Queensferry on the outskirts of Edinburgh and North Queensferry in Fife, was opened in 1890 after eight years of construction.
Designed by Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker, it measures 2,529m (1.5 miles), weighs 53,000 tonnes and was at the time the world's longest multi-span cantilever bridge.Designed by Sir John Fowler and Benjamin Baker, it measures 2,529m (1.5 miles), weighs 53,000 tonnes and was at the time the world's longest multi-span cantilever bridge.
When it was constructed it was one of the most ambitious projects of its kind ever attempted, and at its peak, more than 4,500 men were employed building it, with construction taking eight years to complete.
'Industrial aesthetic''Industrial aesthetic'
The Unesco inspection report stated: "This enormous structure, with its distinctive industrial aesthetic and striking red colour, was conceived and built using advanced civil engineering design principles and construction methods.The Unesco inspection report stated: "This enormous structure, with its distinctive industrial aesthetic and striking red colour, was conceived and built using advanced civil engineering design principles and construction methods.
"Innovative in design, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel.""Innovative in design, materials and scale, the Forth Bridge is an extraordinary and impressive milestone in bridge design and construction during the period when railways came to dominate long-distance land travel."
There are currently 1,007 World Heritage Sites across the globe, in 161 countries. Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the bridge was one of the "industrial wonders of the world" and congratulated the team behind the bid.
World Heritage Sites are considered to be internationally significant to cultural or natural heritage and transcend national boundaries. The aim is to preserve them for future generations. She added: "The Forth Bridge is an outstanding example of Scotland's built heritage and its endurance is testament not only to the ingenuity of those who designed and built it but also to the generations of painters, engineers and maintenance crews who have looked after it through the years."
'Greater aura'
The bridge is owned by Network Rail, whose infrastructure director, David Dickson, described it as "a prime example of civil engineering and an iconic structure, not only in Scotland but across the world."
Mike Cantlay, chairman ofTourism agency VisitScotland said World Heritage Site status would lends "even greater aura and appeal to one of the planet's most instantly recognisable landmarks".
He added: "The timing is perfect as, in 2016, this country will celebrate the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design and you would be hard-pushed to find a better example of all three qualities anywhere in the world than in the Forth Bridge."
There are now more than 1,000 World Heritage Sites across the globe, in 161 countries.
Of these, 29 are British, including the Tower of London, the Giant's Causeway and Stonehendge.