Calls have been made to improve lighting on the Forth Bridge.

Currently only around five per cent of them are working on the UNESCO World Heritage Site structure - and Fife councillors have been told that Network Rail has no plans to improve illuminations before 2030.

The issue was raised at a Fife Council Cabinet meeting this week as it considered a report on the management plan for the bridge for 2026-2036.

Councillor Brian Goodall (Rosyth, SNP) said: “I understand it has been some time since the bridge was lit up and there has been some deterioration of the number of lights that are still working.

placeholder image — Forth Rail Bridge lit up (Pic: TSPL)

“It has been something seen as something quite positive over the last ten years that the bridge was lit up and is quite spectacular at night even if slightly less spectacular with less lights functioning.”

Karen Stewart, Forth Bridges World Heritage and Tourism Lead, acknowledged lighting was an issue that had come up during consultation for the ten year plan.

“The existing lighting system is not all working any more and Network Rail is going to look to find a suitable economic way of addressing this in the future,” she confirmed. “But at the moment, there is no active new scheme to be introduced.”

Council leader David Ross said he would like to see the historic bridge “properly lit” with hopes it be done “the sooner the better.”

Councillor Craig Walker (Glenrothes West and Kinglassie, SNP) is also keen for work to be speeded up.

“The report mentions that Network Rail is not going to look at it until at least 2030,” he said.

“My understanding is that around 95 per cent of the current lighting is not working. Everybody acknowledges the magnificent feat of engineering. It was brilliant during the Millennium but we would like to see that on a very regular basis.”