Week 2, Day 6

Day 2, and the decision was made by the Reporters following yesterday's difference of opinion. This resulted in Scottish Natural Heritage being restricted to only asking questions which they had covered in their precognition. This caused the representatives of SNH to question whether their continued attendance at the Inquiry would be of much value.

It was then time for Babcock’s witness on road traffic issues to be called to give evidence. However, the lawyer for Babcock intervened to say that, in Environmental Statement (published in January 2011), there were a number of errors in the text and tables relating to traffic flow at junctions, with some of the junctions being misnamed.

Fortunately, after quickly checking the general scope of the corrections we were able to cross examine Babcock’s witness as scheduled. After lunch, Babcock’s QC made a lengthy (85 minute) submission on why they were asking to call another witness to deal with a minor matter that had been raised by objectors in relation to wave action and its effect on the foreshore. Parties will respond in the morning. After this discussion was over, the Babcock witness for landscape and visual effects gave his evidence and was cross-examined by us.

Tomorrow we'll hear a Forth Ports witness give evidence and be subject to cross examination by Babcock in relation to the container market. (This has been rescheduled to suit witness availability).