A large rise in the number of broken cables on the Forth Road Bridge is “no cause for alarm”, according to transport minister Derek Mackay.
Acoustic monitoring software installed in 2006 has recorded a total of 93 cable breaks but 24 of these have occurred in the last three months alone.
Mr Mackay said the cables “are perfectly fine in terms of carrying the bridge and the traffic on the bridge” at Holyrood today.
SNP MSP Dave Stewart said: “Since the acoustic monitoring system was installed in 2006 it has detected 93 wire breaks, but 24 of these have been since the end of January this year.”
Mr Mackay said: “Mr Stewart is correct that the acoustic monitoring equipment is providing us with the information that we require but there will be a comprehensive investigation in May and June.
“That will be more intrusive and in-depth, and give us further information with which to make a judgement.
“Clearly, some of the cracks that will have appeared will be worthy of further investigation but we are still of the opinion that there is no immediate concerns around safety, and cables are perfectly fine in terms of carrying the bridge and the traffic on the bridge.
“Of course, there will be ongoing monitoring and investigation, and the works that we have put in place in terms of the dehumidification will prevent further deterioration.
“But some of that legacy is from when the first cracks and breaks appeared in 2004/05.
“So, there is no reason to be alarmed, but we are taking a very close inspection of the faults that have been found.”