Broken lights on the landmark Forth Bridge wont be fixed until 2030

Currently only around five per cent of the lights are working on the iconic crossing which is UNESCO World Heritage Site structure, a meeting of the local authority heard.

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.

Glenrothes West and Kinglassie Councillor Craig Walker said he was keen for work to be speeded up.

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He said: “The report mentions that Network Rail is not going to look at it until at least 2030.

“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.”

Rosyth Councillor Brian Goodall 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.

“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.”

A Network Rail Scotland spokeswoman said the lights were installed in 2000 and some of the components are no longer manufactured.

They say a full revamp of the lighting system would be required and there is currently no funding for this.

The spokeswoman added: "We understand the importance of the Forth Bridge to local communities and visitors and are incredibly proud to care for this world-famous structure.

“Over the past two decades, more than £140m has been invested in its maintenance.

"The bridge's decorative lighting was installed in 2000 as part of millennium celebrations.

“As some components are no longer manufactured, and to ensure future energy efficiency, reinstatement would require a complete renewal of the lighting system, which could only be considered if future funding became available.”

The bridge is celebrated as a Victorian engineering masterpiece. Completed in 1890, it revolutionized bridge design as the world's first major steel structure.

It is understood any future funding for a lighting replacement would be subject to approval from Transport Scotland.