Media centre

Thursday 12 Feb 2009

FORTH BRIDGE TO GO DARK FOR WWF’S EARTH HOUR

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Scotland’s Forth Bridge will join a list of iconic world landmarks by going dark at 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March for 60 minutes to mark WWF’s Earth Hour, it was revealed today (Thursday 12 February).

The rail bridge will join some of the most recognised landmarks on the planet in switching off their lights for WWF's Earth Hour, including the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, Table Mountain in Cape Town, Sydney Opera House, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, CN Tower in Toronto and the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.

With less than two months to go, citizens, businesses and public authorities in 377 cities across 74 countries have already committed to turning off their lights for one hour at 8.30pm on 28 March in a graphic show of support for decisive action on climate change.

The list of cities confirming their participation in WWF’s Earth Hour 2009 includes 37 national capitals and some of the great cities of the world, including Edinburgh, London, Cardiff, Beijing, Rome, Moscow, Los Angeles, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong, Dubai, Singapore, Athens, Buenos Aires, Toronto, Sydney, Mexico City, Istanbul, Copenhagen, Manila, Las Vegas, Brussels, Cape Town and Helsinki.

Dr Richard Dixon, Director of WWF Scotland said:

“We are delighted that Network Rail has agreed to involve one of Scotland’s most recognised landmarks in supporting WWF’s Earth Hour. Climate change is the biggest problem facing the planet and WWF’s Earth Hour 2009 will be the biggest show of support ever. People in Scotland can join concerned individuals and communities from over 70 countries around the world in a dramatic hour of action on climate change.

“The Forth Bridge is one of the largest structures of its kind in the world to be floodlit so it being plunged into darkness at 8.30pm on Saturday 28 March for one hour will be truly memorable.”

The Forth Bridge is Scotland’s biggest listed building and when constructed was regarded by some as the eighth wonder of the world and every bit as spectacular as the Eiffel Tower.

Ron McAulay, Network Rail Director, Scotland said:

“The Forth Bridge is an engineering achievement which Scots are rightly proud of and we floodlight the structure to celebrate that fact. However, climate change is an issue which affects us all and we are pleased to be able to lend our support Earth Hour 2009.”

The switch off will not affect rail services operating over the bridge.

* Print quality images of Forth Bridge at night available on request