Case Study: Transport Scotland speeds Forth Replacement Crossing delivery and cuts survey costs with Ordnance Survey

Transport Scotland - Customer Case Study

Transport Scotland needed to develop the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC) and quickly identify topography, landmarks and constraints for the connecting roads within a tight consultation and five‑year construction timetable to deliver the crossing by 2016. To speed preliminary design and public consultation, Transport Scotland used Ordnance Survey data via the One Scotland Mapping Agreement, notably OS MasterMap Topography and Land‑Form PROFILE, alongside its own imagery and measurements.

Ordnance Survey data was imported into engineering software to create 3D models of route options, allowing the team to scope environmental and geotechnical surveys, identify preferred routes by the end of 2008, and present clear visual information at public exhibitions. Using Ordnance Survey cut the need for repeated full physical surveys (saving around £500,000), supported more than 2,200 exhibition attendees and ~200 responses, kept proposals on schedule for the Forth Crossing Bill, and helped the project meet interim milestones—keeping it on target for 2016.

Transport Scotland

Alex Ramage

Head of MIS