Surface damage disrupts morning traffic on Forth Road Bridge

Motorists faced long delays across the Forth Road Bridge this morning as emergency repairs were carried out.

It was initially reported that wear and tear of heavy traffic had damaged one of the expansion joints.

However, a spokesman for Amey, which manages and maintains the 51-year-old bridge, later blamed the problem on a pothole.

One lane had to be closed from 8.10am-8.38am to allow workers to carry out emergency repairs.

A spokesman said: “An emergency repair was carried out this morning after a motorist reported a puncture from steelwork protruding from the carriageway.

“On closer inspection our team found that there was indeed a pothole around the main expansion joint that needed urgent repair, however the steelwork spotted by the motorist turned out to be loose debris around the joint, that has come off a passing vehicle.

“One lane northbound was closed from 8.10 until 8.38am.

“The road surface has now been made safe and a permanent repair will be scheduled for a date in the future.”