Transport Scotland has announced the appointment of two new managers, David Bishop and Barry Stewart, for the South East Unit Senior Bridges Team.

The team delivers the Scottish Trunk Road Network Management Contract for the South East Unit, which includes 757 bridges and structures, including the iconic Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge, as well as other major bridges such as the Kincardine Bridge and Clackmannanshire Bridge.

David Bishop has been promoted to Unit Bridges Manager and will take on the most senior bridges role in the team, while Barry Stewart has joined BEAR Scotland from Atkins to take on the role of Major Bridges Manager overseeing Forth Road Bridge and Clackmannanshire Bridge. 


Barry joins David and the other bridges managers to help lead dedicated teams of chartered bridge design engineers, project managers, inspectors and maintenance staff as well as third-party suppliers.

"We ensure the safety and operation of the bridges which form a key part of the country's transport network whilst minimising disruption to users, local communities and the effect on the environment," said David Bishop, SE Unit Bridges Manager.

"Barry brings a wealth of experience to the team and strengthens our ability to deliver complex maintenance and refurbishment projects. Barry joined at a pivotal time on the 60th anniversary of the opening of the Forth Road Bridge, a structure for which he takes on responsibility."

David joined BEAR in 2021 having previously worked on the Forth Road Bridge between 2009 and 2013. 

Meanwhile, Barry is a chartered Principal Bridge Engineer with ten years' experience working on a variety of civil engineering structures.  

He has detailed design and structural assessment experience of a variety of structural forms, including multiple span prestressed beam structures.

Notable experience includes A9 dualling, Highways England asset management schemes, A465 HOV, M11 bearing replacements and Edinburgh North Bridge Refurbishment.