Queensferry Crossing closures lifted to ease traffic flow

Works on the Queensferry Crossing have been halted as predicted poor weather means the Forth Road Bridge would have to shut at peak times.

It means the new £1.35 billion structure will have its closures lifted overnight on Monday into Tuesday.

The southbound carriageway was shut on Thursday, to allow for five days of works to correct “snagging” issues.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “With the weather set to deteriorate over the coming days and with significant progress having been made on the snagging work we have decided to reprofile the work on the Queensferry Crossing, opening it to all traffic tomorrow, to ensure that traffic continues to move across the Forth despite the weather.

“An increased risk of high winds at peak times could result in the need to restrict the traffic using the Forth Road Bridge.

“Given how important this time of year is to both businesses and the community, we have decided to reopen the Queensferry Crossing in both directions overnight on December 4 in order to avoid peak time disruption.”

Met Office forecasters predict wind speeds of up to 19mph in the area on Tuesday.

The closure comes as part of efforts to get traffic on the new crossing over the Forth travelling at speeds of up to 70mph before the end of the year, according to officials.

Contractors have been carrying out the “snagging works”, which involve lifting the surface of the bridge around certain expansion joints, at no extra cost to the tax payer.

During the closure, southbound traffic has been using the Forth Road Bridge and northbound traffic has used the Queensferry Crossing.

The decision to shut the carriageway was just three months after the bridge was officially opened to great fanfare.

It was formally opened by the Queen, who hailed the new structure as “breathtaking” on September 4, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described its construction as an “outstanding achievement”.

Ministers only became aware part of the new bridge would have to be closed less than two weeks ago, Mr Yousaf previously said, despite transport officials knowing since August.

Opposition parties hit out at the “snagging” issues, with Tory transport spokesman Jamie Greene questioning how the problems were “not brought to the forefront” sooner.

Transport officials have said more lane restrictions could be expected on the crossing over the next 10 months, but are likely to be carried out in a way to minimise disruption.

Mr Yousaf added: “The snagging work remains on programme and we are on course to increase the speed limit on the bridge to 70 mph by the end of the month and the remaining finishing work on the joints will be completed this week with only late night, off peak lane closures.

“While we do not anticipate delays outside of the normal peak traffic, as ever I would advise people to plan ahead and take account of traffic information before setting off.”