06 July 2015
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Forth Rail Bridge given UNESCO World Heritage Site status
The Forth Rail Bridge has been given World Heritage Site status, making it the UK's 29th UNESCO World Heritage Site. ...
Forth Rail Bridge given UNESCO World Heritage Site status Images
The Forth Rail Bridge has been given World Heritage Site status, making it the UK's 29th UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside historic sites including the Antonine Wall, New Lanark and the New and Old Towns of Edinburgh.
The news comes following a three-year campaign for secure the status, by a partnership which included the Scottish and UK governments, Historic Scotland, Transport Scotland and Network Rail.
The historic bridge, which spans the Firth of Forth and was completed in 1890, was praised by the World Heritage Committee as 'a masterpiece of creative genius because of its distinctive industrial aesthetic'. The Forth Rail Bridge is the world's second longest cantilever span bridge (after Pont de Quebec in Canada) and at its completion, created an alternative for crossing the Firth of Forth by rail. Until this time, passengers had been able to cross the water by ferry.
During its early years, the bridge became a key part of the 'race to the north' which was a competition between railway companies at the end of the 19th century, with trains competing to provide passengers with the fastest service between Aberdeen and London.
READ OUR FEATURE ON TOP TEN HISTORIC SCOTTISH BRIDGES
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Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said: 'The Forth Bridge is an iconic piece of Victorian industrial engineering which has a proud place in the UK’s rich culture and heritage. Being recognised as a World Heritage site is a fitting accolade for this bridge which has played such an important part in the lives of Scots for 125 years.
'The Forth Bridge joins an impressive list – including the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China plus, closer to home, New Lanark and St Kilda – which have secured the prestigious World Heritage status. I’m pleased that the UK delegation has been able to secure this status for the Forth Bridge.'
FORTH BRIDGE FACTS
Length: 2,467 metres
Height: 110 metres above the water
Designers: Sir Benjamin Baker & Sir John Fowler
Opened: 4 March 1890
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(Images from top: copyright Dearbarbie; copyright Andrew Bell)
The news comes following a three-year campaign for secure the status, by a partnership which included the Scottish and UK governments, Historic Scotland, Transport Scotland and Network Rail.
The historic bridge, which spans the Firth of Forth and was completed in 1890, was praised by the World Heritage Committee as 'a masterpiece of creative genius because of its distinctive industrial aesthetic'. The Forth Rail Bridge is the world's second longest cantilever span bridge (after Pont de Quebec in Canada) and at its completion, created an alternative for crossing the Firth of Forth by rail. Until this time, passengers had been able to cross the water by ferry.
During its early years, the bridge became a key part of the 'race to the north' which was a competition between railway companies at the end of the 19th century, with trains competing to provide passengers with the fastest service between Aberdeen and London.
READ OUR FEATURE ON TOP TEN HISTORIC SCOTTISH BRIDGES
'The Forth Bridge joins an impressive list – including the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China plus, closer to home, New Lanark and St Kilda – which have secured the prestigious World Heritage status. I’m pleased that the UK delegation has been able to secure this status for the Forth Bridge.'
FORTH BRIDGE FACTS
Length: 2,467 metres
Height: 110 metres above the water
Designers: Sir Benjamin Baker & Sir John Fowler
Opened: 4 March 1890
(Images from top: copyright Dearbarbie; copyright Andrew Bell)
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