Transport Scotland is to appoint an archaeological 'time team' to carry out studies on the land required for the Forth Replacement Crossing (FRC).

This aims to recover and record any items of historical interest found on land owned by Ministers.

The work which will start this summer will help to ensure construction of the new crossing begins on schedule in 2011.

And elsewhere on the FRC project, a study commissioned by Transport Scotland has allowed two ship pilots to experience sailing on the Forth estuary as if the new crossing were already in place. The computer simulation allows pilots to practice navigation of the new crossing during both construction and when completed to ensure that vital shipping channels continue to operate effectively.

Working closely with Historic Scotland, several areas of archaeological potential which may be affected by the project have been identified north and south of the estuary. Initial studies will focus on land owned by Scottish Ministers at St Margaret's Hope and Echline Fields.

The works are scheduled to start this summer to enable sufficient time for recovery and recording should items of historical interest be found. This will help ensure, subject to parliamentary approval of the Forth Crossing Bill, that construction will begin in 2011 and the crossing can be opened by 2016 - avoiding potential traffic restrictions on the Forth Road Bridge.

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The Contract Notice for the land-based archaeological investigation works issued by Transport Scotland includes geophysical survey, trial trenches and hand excavation.

Steven Brown, Transport Scotland's roads team manager for the FRC, explained: "The archaeological work involves scraping away topsoil, trench excavation of the subsoil and then inspecting the area. Further investigations may take place if historical features are identified.

"The areas of archaeological interest are already very well mapped, but we recognise the need to take all practicable measures to ensure items of historical interest are preserved. We will continue to work closely with Historic Scotland to ensure that this happens."

For sites which are not currently in the ownership of the Scottish Ministers, Transport Scotland will shortly discuss access with existing landowners.

The works are anticipated to begin in the late summer for a duration of approximately one year.

In a study commissioned by Transport Scotland, two ship pilots have been able to experience sailing in the Forth Estuary with the FRC in place, helping Transport Scotland's designers ensure the bridge leaves the vital shipping lanes of the Forth continue to operate effectively.

Steve Michel and Neil Walker from Forth Ports have taken part in week long trials using one of the world's most advanced navigation simulation models.

The computer model of the Forth Estuary at the Maritime Simulation Centre, South Tyneside College, Sunderland was specially updated to include the FRC under construction and completed. Similar to an aircraft flight simulator, the system allows a number of ship types to be tested in real time situations.

The pilots sit in a mock-up of a ship control room and their field of vision is filled by a realistic computer-generated model of the estuary, existing rail and road bridges, and the new Forth Crossing.

Captain Steve Michel from the Association of Forth Pilots said:"It was extremely interesting to be able to take part in this exercise and to see the depiction of the new Forth Replacement Crossing. We were able to get a very clear idea of how it will look alongside the landscape and the existing bridges.

"Once the crossing has been built there will be no real impact on navigation in the current channels.

"This is helped by the fact that one tower will be on Beamer Rock and the other two will be in areas of the Forth that we do not sail into.

"We were also able to practice what will happen during the construction phase of the project, when barges will be moored in the river as the decking sections are being lifted up into position on the bridge. This will potentially impact on navigation. Based on our findings we were able to make a number of recommendations to inform the design process."

(GK/BMcC)