Delays around Forth Road Bridge set to continue
Motorists are being urged to avoid the Forth Road Bridge while engineers continue to survey the problem.
Traffic on the Forth Road Bridge will continue to be restricted to a single lane in each direction until at least the middle of the day on Thursday.
Traffic restrictions have been in place on the bridge since Tuesday evening following the discovery of a defect to a steel component beneath the southbound carriageway during a routine inspection.
Engineers and specialists carried out a more detailed inspection this morning and are currently in the process of completing calculations with a view to implementing a temporary solution in the near future and a permanent repair at a future date. It is hoped that traffic restrictions can be at least partially lifted at some point on Thursday.
Abnormal loads are not permitted to cross while the contraflow is in place; however the east footpath has reopened to cyclists and pedestrians.
Mark Arndt, Operating Company Representative, said: “A key structural component beneath the southbound carriageway has failed so it is important that we carry out all the necessary calculations before relaxing safety restrictions.
“Following the detailed inspection carried out this morning we now have the information required to develop both short and long term solutions. Our team will be working through the night to design and check our plans and we aim to have these confirmed during the day tomorrow.
“We apologise for the disruption that these safety restrictions are causing. Our advice remains to avoid Forth Road Bridge for the time being and divert via Kincardine or the A9 and M9, use public transport or travel outwith peak times.
“Drivers did take heed of the warnings today and we would ask them to keep checking the latest information from Traffic Scotland before they set off on their journeys.”