22/12/2015 Reporting Scotland

That's all from the BBC News at Six, so it's goodbye from me,

and on BBC One we now join the BBC's news teams where you are.

The Forth Road Bridge will re-open to all vehicles except heavy lorries

tomorrow morning, after repairs are completed ahead of schedule.

One year on from the Glasgow bin lorry crash which killed six people

- friends, family and survivors remember.

It's been a really hard year and we think about it every day.

Also on the programme, A record fine for oil firm Total

for one of the biggest ever gas leaks in the North Sea.

Strike on the sleeper between Scotland and London

in a dispute over repairs to defects on trains.

And, we follow the controversial Beauly-Denny power line

The six people who died in the Glasgow bin lorry crash one

year ago have been remembered at a special service

Candles were lit for the victims, and tributes paid to all those

who were injured and the emergency services who went to their aid.

Those injured that day, those who help them, and those who witnessed

it first hand, including the crew travelling in the back of the bin

lorry, came together to remember and reflect. This ecumenical service

allows the opportunity for us all in our great city to stand in

solidarity with one another and express our support for all those

affected by what happened. Six people died that day and this worst

anniversary was always going to be a very difficult time for their

families. Seats were kept for relatives and friends but perhaps

such a large public occasion was too much for the bereaved to beer after

many difficult days. Everybody who died was remembered as candles were

laid, each one carried by a relative or friend. Lorraine Sweeney,

Jacquelyn Martin. The First Minister gave a reading. The souls of the

righteous are in the hands of God and no torment will ever touch them.

The Episcopal Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway admitted it was hard to

find the right words when only the people involved can know what it is

like. What happened in Glasgow a year ago was an accident, we now

know an accident waiting to happen, but still an accident, pointless,

meaningless, the consequence of human folly and irresponsibility.

During the service, tribute was paid to the emergency services and those

passers by who went to help. The closing prayer was led by the

Archbishop of Glasgow. Give us the strength of compassion that we may

never shield our and hearts from pain but seek to heal and bless.

Well, in George Square itself, the festive attractions fell silent

to mark the anniversary of the accident.

For the families of those killed - and for those who survived -

it's been a year of coming to terms with what happened.

But there's concern too, that lessons haven't been learned.

The Christmas funfair in George Square was stopped as a mark of

respect for the time this afternoon. Bin lorries were kept away from the

area where the accident happened. At Queen Street station staff stopped

at 2:29pm. The very moment when the Law Review at -- Lorry veered out of

control. In just 19 seconds it went into the wall of the millennium

Hotel, taking the lives of six people and injuring many others. The

driver, Harry Clarke, was slumped at the wheel. A Fatal Accident Inquiry

was held. He was not prosecuted. Some of those who lost loved ones

felt let down. This family were in town with their daughter. They went

to the church service to remember. I met Alex after work, we were going

to go to Princes Square for lunch. We were going to go to George Square

to let Bethany see the reindeer. The next minute, catastrophe happened. I

lifted the buggy and threw it with Bethany in it to get her out of the

way. I dived to the side myself. Just no time at all. They are

grateful to be alive. Just how lucky we are to be here. I feel for the

people. Especially with the outcome. You feel as if there has not been

any justice done. At the time, the city pulled

together. Royal exchange Square became a sea of flowers. People came

back to quietly and respectfully remember those affected by the

tragedy. Catriona, today's been

about remembering those who died, but aside from that,

there is a frustration isn't there that we're one year

on and those involved in this There is a growing number of floral

tributes being brought here this evening and of course this time last

year it was only just beginning to emerge, the extent of the tragedy.

This has been a year of legal process. First, the Crown decided

not to prosecute anybody, then there was the Fatal Accident Inquiry would

that lasted five weeks. In that, it became clear that Harry Clarke had

lied on forms to his employers and the DVLA about his history of

medical blackouts. The sheriff made recommendations earlier this month

that the UK Government should consider looking into making changes

in the law and increasing penalties for people who failed to disclose

information. But there has been criticism of the decision not to

prosecute. They maintain there is not the evidence to do this but it

has not stopped some of the families taking the very unusual step of

pursuing a private prosecution. We wait for more news on what will

happen with that. The Forth Road Bridge will reopen

to all vehicles except HGVs tomorrow morning - almost a fortnight

earlier than expected. Traffic will be allowed back

on the crossing from 6am. The bridge was closed completely

early this month after a crack Let's go now to Lisa Summers,

who's at the bridge - and relief there on both sides

of the Firth? Absolutely. This has been a tale of

three bridges, one that is still to be built, the one that remains

closed, and the rail bridge which has been taking the strain. There is

a great deal of the light on both sides of the Firth of Forth this

evening. -- deal of delight. 90% of the vehicles will be able to cross.

Some serious questions from lorry drivers as to why they were led to

believe they would be able to use the bridge from the start of the New

Year but will need to put up with the disruption for another six

weeks. Vehicles continue to take workers out to the side of this part

of the North Tower of the Forth Road Bridge. It was detected in a routine

inspection but it resulted in the closure of the bridge completely to

traffic in an unprecedented situation. We are told that work on

a temporary solution has been completed and from tomorrow morning,

90% of the traffic will be led back on the bridge. This morning the

Transport Minister and bridge operator announced it could open

safely but it would be February for a stronger, permanent solution could

be found to allow HD fees to cross. This could not be allowed, this

solution if HGVs were given free passage. The design is anticipated

to be finished in the beginning of January, it will move on to the side

and we are anticipating in the middle of February to have that in

place. It is good news for regular commuters but some hauliers have

expressed frustration that it will continue for them. They are very

keen that we get access for them. I'm very certain HGVs will be across

the Forth Road Bridge early next year. A full inspection is almost

complete. The main work will be complete next year. The hauliers say

they are dismayed because they say it will cost them ?40 million

because of the closure. The Transport Minister says they will

work with them to provide support. You can see behind me there is still

work going on this evening. An inspection of the bridge which has

been carried out, 90% of that is complete and will go on into

January. In order to carry out those permanent repairs it will mean some

disruption. Most of those disruptions will be put in place

overnight. Engineers say they will put in place state-of-the-art

equipment to monitor the movement of the bridge in future.

You're watching Reporting Scotland from the BBC.

Still to come on tonight's programme:

We take to the skies once more at to follow the power line on its long

march to the south past some of Scotland's's most iconic landmarks.

The Celtic skipper Scott Brown claims has side can go unbeaten til

And it's Glasgow against Edinburgh in the 1872 cup.

We ask where rugby's big crunch matches can be won and lost.

The French oil company Total has been fined more than a million

pounds after admitting to failings that caused one of the biggest ever

Gas leaked from the Elgin Platform for 51 days after the incident

Aberdeen Sheriff court heard workers ran fearing for their lives.

No one was injured - but the leak led to the shutdown

and abandonment of the platform until it was stopped.

It was the biggest uncontrolled leak of gas from a North Sea platform

since records started in 1992. When the blow out was discovered the

workers nearest ran for their lives. Surrounding installations were

evacuated. It would be 51 days before the leak was stopped. After

sentencing today, executives accepted the record fine. The

company regrets the gas leak and act sets the fine that was handed down.

They carried out their own investigation to identify the causes

of the incident and to discover what can be done to prevent similar ones

in the future. Total new the well involved was unstable and had been

working to kill it when the blow out happened in March 2000 12. The

hundreds of workers were lucky the weather conditions prevented an

explosion -- March 2000 12. Neill has worked as a safety

representative and has decided to speak out about his concerns over

what happened. The danger is we are back to the old days. But for the

grace of God, this could have been a disaster. Was nothing they did that

could have stopped this being a disaster. The Health and Safety

Executive described it as preventable and foreseeable and it

could have led to a lot of life. This is the biggest fine ever handed

down to a gas operator in the North Sea. The judge said she believed

there was no plan B for a leak. There's a possible buyer for two

closure-threatened steel plants in Lanarkshire but it is unclear

if any deal would actually Tata Steel is in talks to sell

the part of its business which makes plates and rods to the venture

capital firm, Greybull Capital. That business includes the Dalzell

and Clydebridge plants which are to be mothballed

with the loss of 270 jobs. But unions say the would-be buyer's

plan does not include In the last few minutes,

workers on the sleeper service between Scotland and London have

started a 48-hour strike in a dispute over repairs

to defects on trains. Talks last night between

the operator Serco and the RMT union From Inverness, Jackie O'Brien

reports. The last sleeper train before

Christmas arrived on time this morning but there was little festive

cheer. It will be sad to see it go but the staff have got a point. Is

it a bit of a state, the whole arrangement? I use it everyday, it

saves on my carbon footprint. We are not just serving customers coming to

the Highlands but also local communities. The RMT claims the

Caledonian sleeper operators have field to fix a list of defects on

trains. The trains are running around with

the firearms disconnected. They are running night after night. The

franchise was awarded in March. The company has plans to replace the

ageing rolling stock with new state-of-the-art trains but says it

is already addressing the repairs at the centre of the dispute. The

strike which starts tonight will affect all trains between Scotland

and London. It could not have come at a busy time for the company,

which has had to refund passengers and put on extra seated trains

between Euston and Glasgow. The services are due to resume on Sunday

but the union is already warning of further action.

80 Aberdeen residents have returned to their homes after being forced

to leave because of a huge fire at a nearby garage.

A small number of people were treated for smoke inhalation

following the blaze at Arnold Clarke in Torry early this morning.

Residents were put up at a local community centre as around 50

It carries enough power for a city one-and-a-half times

But the Beauly Denny power line - which is now fully on stream -

The debate about its cost, both to consumers and the landscape,

In his second report, our environment correspondent,

David Miller, follows the southern section of the line by helicopter

We are about to leave the highlands behind us, heading for the central

belt. Mile after mile of power line still lies ahead. The landscape

beneath us is changing now as we head further south towards

Scotland's industrial heart and the millions of consumers this line was

built to serve. But, it would be a mistake to think the construction of

the power line has been any less controversial here. Local

campaigners share the concerns of objectors in the north. When you put

really large man made structures, steel, large standing up high, into

a landscape like this, it takes away a degree of the naturalness, the

beauty, the quietness, the feeling of timelessness, of peace,

tranquillity that you get here. This is an area of great landscape value

and I think the - everybody says that has seen it, that I've met, has

said they're shocked at the impact it's made on the visual qualities of

the area. From the air it's easy to pick out the pylons as they march

towards the Wallace Monument and Sterling Castle. We're just aify

miles now from the sprawling new sub station at Denny. In the damp winter

air, it literally crackles with energy. Well, it's a critical

location... Bosses say this project is helping to keep the lights on in

the towns and cities of central Scotland. Beauly Denny will increase

the ability to transfer power from north to south by about 1,200 mega

watts. To put a sense of scale on that. That's the equivalent of the

power usage of 600,000 homes. Those who worked on the lines said

protecting the environment was a top priority. You've got towers where

there are nesting birds. We have waited for nesting birds to go aaway

and prevent them from building the nests. The project has been

controversial, it won't be the last. Changes to the way we generate our

electricity will require other griddup grades in the years ahead.

We've learnt, powering Scotland isn't easy or cheap, but it's always

controversial. Thank you very much, Jackie. Good

evening to you. The Celtic captain believes they can

go unbeaten for the rest That's despite the fact the haven't

won a home game since the end of October.

Scott Brown has reacted to press criticism of manager Ronny Deila

by backing the Norwegian, with one former Celtic player

agreeing Deila deserves time. Scott Brown making a donation of

?5,000 from the proceeds of his book. It's a cause close to his

heart as is his beloved Celtic, who are still licking their wounds after

defeat at the weekend. It was one result. One result means nothing. We

have had loads of results with me and other people in the team without

them. It's not about missing one or two people, it's all about the team.

That team in that dressing room is good enough to go on and, we could

go the rest of the season without getting beat again. We have the

belief and the manager instilled that us in. The manager has been the

subject of much criticism, including some from supporters groups and

former players, has this been harsh on his boss? He has done a good job

for me last season. We were unlucky not to get the treble. Luck here and

there would have been nice, a couple of good refereeing decisions. But

this season we've had a slow start. We need to kick on now. Results like

the 2-1 defeat to Motherwell pile on the pressure. One former player says

the Board should not be too hasty in wielding the axe. Who knows how many

good managers have been thrown out the door too early and not had a

chance. Celtic should give him the time to try and finish the job that

he started. Then if it doesn't work, then everybody can walk away and say

- it didn't work. It wasn't the right thing, but we gave it our best

shot. Through injuries Scott Brown will miss the busy schedule with an

expected return in six to eight weeks' time.

The 1872 Cup will be a tightly fought battle -

so says Scotland's record points scorer, Chris Paterson.

The biggest derby in Scottish rugby is a festive double-header

with Glasgow travelling to Edinburgh on Sunday for the first leg.

The Warriors want the Cup back after Edinburgh took it last year.

Chris Paterson examines where it could be won or lost

Edinburgh have one won lost one, Glasgow two from two. Scarlets top

of the Pro12. Their form is slightly better, I think. They have a huge

impact venue, add the supporters. A big crowd at Murrayfield. If you

look at the conditions it will be a heavier pitch here. If it was me I

would rather play at home. Edinburgh's strength is set-piece.

Some fantastic backs, fantastic ball players. Glasgow have the wonderful

ability to do a bit of everything. Getting that balance is key.

Edinburgh will take them on physically. Glasgow's forwards are

probably more used to playing in open field, a quicker game, a are mo

open game. Combative as well. Edinburgh's strength is in their

forward play, their scrum, their line-out. We will see Edinburgh look

to cause more damage up front. Coaches play to the their strengths.

They are both hugely intelligent and successful coaches. They will know

what to do at the right moment and hope the players can deliver. I have

a sneaky suspicion who I think may win. I think we have two teams

playing at the top of their game. I think the two games will be tight.

Last year it was two points in it. Form suggests it will be close.

Eilidh Child has told BBC Scotland her plans for the New Year

are to stay injury-free and make an impact at the Rio Olympics.

This morning, she indulged her other sporting love, Hearts,

as she agreed to become a Youth Ambassador for the club.

But after Commonwealth Silver and European Gold last year,

her firm focus now is next year's Olympics.

It's crazy. I can't believe it's going to be four years since London.

Yeah, I mean Olympic year there is always a huge buzz. Everybody raises

their game. Hopefully I can still injury-free and come out and do

something in Rio. Finally from me, the Christmas

spirit has reached Olympia with our elite showjumpers adding

some glitter and sparkle Can you guess which Scots

World Number One this is? Our Olympic Gold medallist,

Scott Brash, getting in on the fun. Not quite sure what the disguise is,

but apparently he could hardly see It looks lovely and Christmassy. Was

that him in the green hat The other one. A Santa Claus, but with long

plaits. Lady Santa Claus. They tried. It's not beginning to feel a

lot like Christmas, is it? Some sunshine as well. Jackie, thank you.

Good evening a number of blustery showers around today. A lovely

picture from one of our weather watchers. The showers rattling

through. They will continue to do that this evening and over night.

There is the showers, driven on a strong south-westerly. They are

hit-and-miss, not everyone will see them, dryer slots in between,

falling as snow on the hills. Thanks to the winds for most towns and

cities no colder than around four. So, to start the day tomorrow it's a

windy start and a rash of showers, as we head through the morning an

improve am from the south. Things will dry up, some sunshine coming

out. Extending north in towards the central belt and further north as we

head through the course of the afternoon. By mid afternoon it will

be dry, sunshine and cloud, the winds of note from the south-west

and with temperatureses seven or eight Celsius in the wind it will be

chilly at times. Further north still some showers. As we head Wednesday

night in towards Thursday all attention is out in the alandic

because of Eva, our fifth named storm. A deep area of low pressure

giving us a glancing blow to the north-west of Scotland. We will see

impacts in the form of winds. To start Wednesday evening it will be

dry and calm. The rain will arrive from the west and that warning in

force from Argyll towards Dumfries and Galloway. The winds could be

potentially storm-force. Come Thursday morning to the northern

isles as well. Disruption to the ferries and bridges as well.

Christmas Eve, day time, the winds will ease down. Some sunshine

around, but a rash of showers once again and, again, those showers

wintry across the hills and the high ground. That's the forecast for now.

Thank you very much Christopher. Now, a reminder of

tonight's main news. British military advisers have been

deployed to Helmand Province in southern Afghanistan,

after reports that the Taliban are close to taking

the key town of Sangin. The Forth Road Bridge will reopen

to all vehicles except HGVs at 6.00am tomorrow morning, almost

a fortnight earlier than expected. We'll be back with the headlines

at 8.00pm and the late bulletin just Until then, from everyone

on the team - right