Thousands of Fife commuters faced a miserable journey home after the Forth Road Bridge was closed by an overturned lorry.
High winds meant the bridge had been shut to high-sided vehicles, cars with trailers, caravans, motorcycles, bicycles and pedestrians from around 11.20am on Tuesday.
The lorry trailer toppled at around 2.45pm, initially closing the northbound lanes.
However, bridge chiefs then took the decision to close the entire bridge while they tried to establish if there was any risk of the trailer blowing on to the southbound side.
Long tailbacks soon built up, and drivers caught on the bridge were told to remain in their vehicles.
Bridge chiefs swung into action in a bid to clear the crossing, but high winds hampered the salvage operation and the stricken lorry was not removed until around 6pm — causing chaos for evening commuters.
Thankfully, engineers were able to confirm the bridge had not suffered any significant damage and both directions were fully reopened at 6.20pm.
Lorry now being towed shielded by heavy cover vehicle pic.twitter.com/rsSKSGgm4C
— Forth Road Bridge (@forthroadbridge) March 14, 2017
The bridge is now open in both directions! Thanks for your patience
— Forth Road Bridge (@forthroadbridge) March 14, 2017
Police investigating
Police had advised drivers to find an alternative route home and confirmed an investigation has been launched.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police in Fife are in attendance on the Forth Road Bridge after a high-sided vehicle overturned on the northbound carriageway … Inquiries are ongoing into the full circumstances.”
“Ignored warning signs”
A statement from bridge operator Amey said: “An articulated lorry ignored signs warning that the bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles and was blown over on the northbound carriageway.”
“Our team is on site assessing the situation and the lorry will be removed as soon as it is safe to do so.”
❗NEW❗
Overturned lorry ? @forthroadbridge Northbound ⛔CLOSED⛔ Traffic is still moving Southbound at present⚠#edintravel #fife pic.twitter.com/nOSIIJIrYn
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 14, 2017
Travelling SB on the #M90 ? The #A90 FRB is closed both ways at the moment – Traffic being diverted #A985 Kincardine Bridge at the moment pic.twitter.com/WYN0kdLSwm
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) March 14, 2017
It is the second time this year that the bridge has been closed because of an accident involving an HGV.
In January, the bridge was closed for the best part of a day after a lorry was blown on to the central reservation.
Engineers had to repair a 40 metre stretch of steelwork, with the bridge closed for almost 24 hours.
