Friarton Bridge has reopened both ways after a fire caused 10 hours of travel disruption in Perth.
Emergency services were called at 3am on Tuesday to a “large fire” underneath the M90 on Lower Friarton Road.
A warning was issued by Scottish Fire and Rescue Service advising nearby residents to keep their windows closed due to smoke.
One eyewitness said black clouds of smoke were drifting towards Friarton.
He told The Courier: “It’s a substantial blaze and they’re bringing hoses round the side of it.
“It’s not the first time there has been a fire there and it looks like the same place as previous fires.
“There are a number of fire engines and lorries can’t get turned around on the bridge after police shut it.
“Smoke is drifting downriver towards the Friarton area.”
M90 over Friarton Bridge reopens after ‘chaotic’ diversions in city centre
Traffic Scotland posted an 8km diversion route for disrupted vehicles on X.
The bridge reopened at around 1pm and traffic started moving again.
Tailbacks built up on both sides of the bridge and heavy traffic caused congestion in Perth.
Stagecoach posted on X that services 39/39A between Arbroath and Perth suffered major delays.
They also warned passengers that Perth services could be disrupted today.
One commuter reported that the 7/7A park-and-ride bus service had not turned up at Broxden so they were walking into he city centre.
“The roads are mobbed,” they added.
Fire crews tackle blaze near Friarton Bridge
A spokesperson for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 3.04am on Tuesday to reports of a fire at a recycling centre on Lower Friarton Road, Perth.
“At its height, Operations Control mobilised four fire appliances and specialist resources to the scene.
“There are no reported casualties.
“Crews left the scene at 3.10pm but will continue to monitor the area.”
They added: “Previous guidance to avoid the area and close windows and doors in nearby homes has now been lifted.”
A post on Facebook at around 6am from Perth and Kinross Council said: “The Friarton Bridge is currently closed to traffic because of a fire in premises on Lower Friarton Road.
“Traffic will be diverted through Perth.
“Scottish Fire and Rescue is advising people living nearby to keep their windows closed due to the volume of smoke.”
The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.
Fourth fire at recycling centre in four years
The incident was the fourth fire at the site in as many years.
In February 2023, a worker at Shore Recycling was killed after an explosion at the centre.
A blaze took place at the site in September 2022 with emergency services also in attendance at a fire in April 2021.
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