Weather-proofing cables on Queensferry crossing, pre and post construction: EIR release

Information requested

 

Information on:

• work carried out to weather-proof cables on the Queensferry crossing prior to construction, and the cost of this work
• any remedial work done to weather-proof cables on the crossing
• any retrospective work done to weather proof cables on the crossing
• the cost of any remedial or retrospective work.

Response

 

As the information you have requested is ‘environmental information’ for the purposes of the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (EIRs), we are required to deal with your request under those Regulations.  We are applying the exemption at section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (FOISA), so that we do not also have to deal with your request under FOISA. 

As the exemption is conditional we have applied the ‘public interest test’.  This means we have, in all the circumstances of this case, considered if the public interest in disclosing the information under FOISA outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.  We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption, because there is no public interest in dealing with the same request under two different regimes.  This is essentially a technical point and has no material effect on the outcome of your request. 

 

Response to your request

 

1. Work carried out to weather-proof cables on the Queensferry crossing prior to construction.

A parallel strand system is used for the stay-cables on the Queensferry Crossing. The system is designed for durability and ease of future replacement.  Each strand comprises seven high-tensile galvanised steel wires of 4.8mm diameter.  The strands are coated with High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) and injected with wax to fill voids between the wires. This provides excellent corrosion protection. Cables comprise a number of these strands. The cables also have an outer sheath of HDPE which provides further protection. 

 

2. The cost for this work 

This request for information is refused. 

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government cannot release the information you have requested.  Therefore we are refusing your request under the exemption at regulation 10(4)(a) of EIR’s.  The reason why that exception applies are explained in the Annex to this letter. 

 

3. Any remedial work done to weather-proof cables on the crossing 

There have been no remedial works associated with weather-proofing the cables.

 

4. Any retrospective work done to weather proof cables on the crossing 

There have been no retrospective works associated with weather-proofing the cables.

 

5. The cost of any remedial or retrospective work.

No costs exist as no remedial or retrospective works have taken place to water proof the cables on the Queensferry Crossing.

 

ANNEX 

REASONS FOR NOT PROVIDING INFORMATION

 

The Scottish Government does not have the information requested

Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have.  

The Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because the cost of the construction and installation of the cables on the Queensferry Crossing was included as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing Project.  The value of these works cannot be dis-aggregated from the total costs tendered.  

This exception is subject to the ‘public interest test’.  Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception.  We have found that on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception.  

While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about the cost of all on-going works on the Queensferry Crossing, clearly we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

 

About FOI

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