Politicians attack plans to refund unsuccessful Forth Crossing bidders

The Scottish government has come under fire for plans to repay the cost of bidding for the main £1.1bn Forth crossing contract if the project does not go ahead.

Labour attacked the idea after the Scottish Parliament's finance committee was asked to agree that shortlisted firms could claim up to £10m each if the project fell through, according to the Scotsman.

Labour finance spokesman David Whitton said: "Why on earth should the parliament be forking out what could be £30m if you've got three bidders for a project like this, especially when we're being told we've got less money to spend?"

The paper reported that it emerged during the committee's discussion that unsuccessful bidders could be refunded up to £5m each even if the bridge does go ahead.

Now the committee is to ask Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson for further clarification.

A Scottish government spokesman said: "We will deliver a new Forth crossing on time and on budget by 2016 at a cost of between £1.7-£2.3 billion.

"This is a world class, prestigious project and these standard industry provisions will ensure we maximise competition and achieve the best overall price."

Currently only construction syndicate Forthspan, consisting of BAM Nutall, Morgan Est, Balfour Beatty and Vinci Construction, has openly expressed its interest in working on the bridge project.

Other interested groups are understood to include Hochtief with Morrison Construction, Bilfinger Berger, as well as Laing O’Rourke with French firm Bouygues.