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The Forth Bridge yesterday became the UK's 29th UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The decision came during a meeting of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Bonn.

The bid to have the bridge recognised was put forward by the UK government following a joint project with the Scottish Government, partnering with Network Rail, Transport Scotland and Historic Scotland.

The World Heritage Committee have praised the bridge as ‘a masterpiece of creative genius because of its distinctive industrial aesthetic’ and ‘an extraordinary and impressive milestone in the evolution of bridge design and construction’.

The Forth Bridge is still the world’s second longest single cantilever span and was first opened in 1890, clearing the way for a fast rail link between the East of Scotland, Edinburgh and London. Over 100 years on, the bridge remains an important part of Britain’s rail infrastructure carrying thousands of passengers each day.

Heritage Minister, Tracey Crouch, said:

It’s fantastic news that the UK’s nomination has led to the inscription of the Forth Bridge. Recognition as a World Heritage Site will draw more tourists to the area as well as making sure one of the UK’s great engineering feats stands for future generations.

The Forth Bridge is an important part of Britain’s shared national heritage, which is why the UK government put it forward as our nomination for World Heritage Site status last year.

The Secretary of State for Scotland, David Mundell, said:

The Forth Bridge is an iconic piece of Victorian industrial engineering which has a proud place in the UK’s rich culture and heritage. Being recognised as a World Heritage site is a fitting accolade for this bridge which has played such an important part in the lives of Scots for 125 years.

The Forth Bridge joins an impressive list – including the Grand Canyon and the Great Wall of China plus, closer to home, New Lanark and St Kilda – which have secured the prestigious World Heritage status. I’m pleased that the UK delegation has been able to secure this status for the Forth Bridge.

The Forth Bridge will be one of a select group of locations that have been awarded World Heritage Site Status in the UK. These include the Heart of Neolithic Orkney, the Derwent Valley Mills and the Castles and Town Walls of King Edward in Gwynedd.

See a full list of World Heritage Sites in the UK

The UK government is an active supporter of the international protection of important heritage sites, recently announcing the creation of a cultural protection fund and its intention to ratify the Hague Convention.

Notes to Editors

1. The UK Government is the State Party at UNESCO, representing the whole of the UK.
2. Inscription as a World Heritage Site offers recognition that a site is of special cultural or physical significance as well as further protections under international conventions. Further information can be found here: http://whc.unesco.org/en/convention/
3. Further detail about the criteria to become a UNESCO World Heritage Site