There was gridlock on the Queensferry Crossing during evening rush hour as the bridge reopened to traffic.
The day had started well, with motorists experiencing only the normal delays as the crossing reopened for business on Thursday morning.
But by around 4pm, as commuters headed home, traffic started to back up, with Stagecoach East Scotland reporting that services heading northbound were delayed by up to 25 minutes.
Services northbound over Queensferry Crossing are delayed 20/25 mins. Apologies for any inconvenience.
— Stagecoach East Scot (@StagecoachEScot) September 7, 2017
There were tailbacks in both direction by early evening and commuters took to Twitter to complain about the delays.
Traffic Scotland, which provides real-time information about Scotland’s roads network, said the combination of afternoon rush hour and poor weather, on a day when people were still visiting the new bridge, had caused congestion.
The bridge only reopened today. Ppl still visiting, PM peak & weather not helping. Give it time ? G
— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) September 7, 2017
Webcams showed the extent of the delays, with reports of a four mile tailback on the south side of the bridge at 6.30pm.
⚠@FRC_Queensferry CONGESTION 18:27 ⌚
N/B back to J1A Kirkliston
S/B J3 Halbeath#edintravel @TheForthBridges #ExpectDelays pic.twitter.com/WWTi1cunwP— Traffic Scotland (@trafficscotland) September 7, 2017
Unlike its opening day last week, when the peak rush hour started early and never really stopped, there appeared to be only the normal delays expected as commuters headed south in the morning.
Shortly before 7am southbound traffic was queuing back to Junction 2 at Pitreavie and half an hour later Traffic Scotland was reporting delays of around 25 to 30 minutes heading south.
The situation was the same at 8am and again approaching 9am.
By 10am southbound traffic was queuing up back to Junction 1 at Admiralty with motorists facing a 15 minute delay.
Throughout the morning there were no reports of delays for drivers heading north.
It was better than the £1.35 billion bridge’s opening on August 30 when commuter traffic was swelled by sightseers keen to take a trip across the Forth on the new crossing.
However, drivers were being warned throughout the morning that the bus lane was for buses only.
The Forth Road Bridge is now closed to traffic and will reopen as a dedicated public transport corridor later this year.
Queensferry Crossing was closed temporarily to allow for celebratory events to mark its completion, including its official opening by the Queen.
