Drivers on the Tay Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing often face disruption caused by the weather.
Wind can lead to speed restrictions being enforced on the bridges or they can even be forced to close completely.
But how windy does it need to be to force the Tay Road Bridge and Queensferry Crossing for this to happen?
We take a look at the restrictions in place on two of the region’s most crucial transport links.
Wind restrictions on Tay Road Bridge
The following restrictions are in place on the Tay Road Bridge when it comes to wind gusts:
- 45mph: Bridge closed to double-decker buses
- 60mph: Bridge closed to all vehicles except cars and single-decker buses, and the central pedestrian walkway is also closed
- 80mph: Bridge closed to all vehicles
Most recently, the bridge was forced to shut for several hours during Storm Eowyn.
Wind restrictions on Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge
The following restrictions are in place on the M90 Queensferry Crossing – the main route across the Forth for cars – and the Forth Road Bridge, which is a public transport link:
- 65mph: Forth Road Bridge closed to all traffic
- 70mph: Queensferry Crossing closed to all high-sided vehicles, vehicles with trailers, caravans and motorcycles
- 90mph: Queensferry Crossing closed to all vehicles except cars and a 30mph speed limit is imposed
- 100mph: Queensferry Crossing closed to all traffic
Wind can also lead to restrictions on the Friarton Bridge in Perth and the Clackmannanshire Bridge.
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