February 1 2022

Network Rail has filed plans for a visitor centre and reception hub for a vertigo-inducing elevated walk planned for the Forth Bridge.

Plans led by Arup with WT Architecture and The Paul Hogarth Company call for the UNESCO World Heritage site to be augmented by a reception centre on the site of an existing maintenance depot, where thrill-seekers can ascend the South Tower via a network of maintenance gantries.

Superceding an approved 2019 application the revised plans take a 'more economical design approach' that sees the main hub take the form of a lighter weight building.

In a statement, the applicant wrote: "These proposals are part of a wider 'Forth Bridge Experience' being developed by Network Rail on both sides of the Forth, including a more extensive visitor centre in North Queensferry which will give universal access via a hoist to the top of the Fife Tower."

The revised plans call for a long, low pavilion framed by trees parallel to a series of stone arches on the bridge approach, connected to Dalmeny Station via a cycle and footpath.

Outlining their chosen approach the architects said: "The building is a contemporary pavilion that echoes the industrial heritage of the site, the lightweight fabrication buildings that once sat on the site when it was used for the fabrication of the bridge and long, extruded railway buildings with repeating, exposed structural bays."

A low horizontal aluminium roof is intended to contrast with the bridge support piers with the roof extending beyond the building line to provide additional shelter below exposed timber rafters. 

5 Comments

#1 Posted by Paul Tetlaw on 2 Feb 2022 at 16:24 PM

I welcome these plans. Such a visitor centre is long overdue for this iconic structure - it will help to boost the economy of the local area and the reputation of Scotland. visitors should be encouraged to arrive by rail and the existing footpath from Dalmeny station (which also serves the bus from Edinburgh) should be upgraded.

#2 Posted by Graeme McCormick on 3 Feb 2022 at 13:25 PM

I welcome it too but am getting a bit fed up with glorified sheds. I appreciate that many are restricted by tight budgets, but I'd expect public sector agencies to make an architectural mark and give some individual shape and form to such buildings in the hope that they might last as long as the bridge

#3 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 3 Feb 2022 at 22:09 PM

Quite disappointing that the potential of a world renown attraction which could have tempted tourists North from London has been revealed to look like an Aldi.
Gee thanks Network Rail, I've got a well used static caravan in my back yard if you want to scrimp a little more?

#4 Posted by Fudge on 4 Feb 2022 at 11:27 AM

It hardly looks like an Aldi. If anything tt has notes of Murcutt. This looks like a well composed response.

#5 Posted by Glasgow Bob on 4 Feb 2022 at 23:13 PM

Aye okay #4 Fudger,
Response? What was the question.
Give us a cheap solution in your lunch hour!

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