A GOOD news story for Scotland landed on a BBC editor’s desk this week.
Unperturbed, they set out to make it sound like bad news.
That’s conjecture – but how else do you explain the “odd” headline and introduction on the BBC’s report about the opening of the Cross Tay Link Road?
The £150m project, which incorporates the new Destiny Bridge over the Tay as well as the New Kingsway carriageway, was delivered “on time and on budget”, according to industry outlet Scottish Construction Now.
STV said similar, reporting: “'Transformative' £150m bridge over River Tay opens to the public.
“The £150m project is both on time and on budget.”
The BBC went down another route.
“New £150m Tay crossing opens after years of planning,” the broadcaster reported.
Its introduction then read: “A £150m road crossing over the River Tay has officially opened after years of planning and construction.”
Remarkably, the BBC report completely failed to mention that the project was either on budget or on time.
The apparent negative spin in the broadcaster’s reporting did not go unnoticed.
After all, which £150m infrastructure projects have been completed without “years of planning and construction”?
Odd headline - of course years of planning would go in to a big infrastructure project like this, which has meant it’s on time and on budget. Anyway, congratulations to the Scottish government and Perth & Kinross council! 👏😁 https://t.co/17tKZv8UoE
— Deidre Brock (@DeidreBrock) April 2, 2025
Former SNP MP Deidre Brock shared the BBC story on social media, writing: “Odd headline – of course years of planning would go into a big infrastructure project like this, which has meant it’s on time and on budget.
“Anyway, congratulations to the Scottish Government and Perth and Kinross council!”
Mike Dailly, the Scots creator of the legendary Grand Theft Auto games, said: “What's with the need to say ‘years of planning’? ALL infrastructure projects have ‘years of planning’.
“Is this just another way for the BBC to try and claim ScotGov are useless, a snide comment ‘oh look it took them YEARS!’
“You don't see this on English projects do you?”
A third social media user wrote: “What does this mean?
“Which other national broadcaster has to put an implied negative spin on every bit of positive news?
“Broadcasting needs to be devolved to purge ourselves of this crap. Better still… #indyref2”
On time, on budget, but – apparently for the BBC – off message.
Next time Scotland builds something on schedule, expect headlines about how long the paint took to dry.
