Forth Road Bridge to be used as diversion route if Queensferry Crossing closes again

There's a plan to use the Forth Road Bridge as a diversion if the Queensferry Crossing has to close again.

It shut for nearly four hours early this morning when ice started falling on to the carriageway.

The old bridge was also out of action because of maintenance work.

Chris Tracey, Bear Scotland's South East Bridges Manager says the timing was unlucky.

"It was a planned closure. The concrete pours commenced yesterday, so we couldn't change that, there was nothing we could do," he said.

"The focus is on getting the first phase of the work on Forth Road Bridge complete to allow us to use it as a diversion route in the event of future closures on Queensferry Crossing."

The bridge re-opened just before 9am, but not before many people had to re-route their morning commute.

The danger of ice falling was detected by sensors which have been fitted on the bridge.

Mr Tracey explains what weather conditions need to occur for it to be at risk of closure.

"Anything below one degree. The dew-point has to be lower than two degrees, the relative humidity has to be above 95% and the wind has to be over 20mph," he added.

Mr Tracey said he couldn't comment on whether or not these conditions are common.

"This is the first time it's happened since BEAR took over this south east contract, but we know it happened in February," he said.

"From what I understand it didn't happen during construction, we don't know how frequently it will occur.

"I can't say it won't happen again."

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