Forth Road Bridge chiefs have imposed an immediate ban on vehicles weighing over 7.5 tonnes as the problems affecting one of Scotland’s busiest trunk routes continue.
The news was announced on Thursday afternoon as drivers continue to face severe disruption after a steel defect was discovered under the southbound carriageways.
Transport chiefs can’t say when the ban on heavier vans and HGVs might be lifted.
The vehicles will be re-routed to Kincardine Bridge, inevitably increasing traffic delays there.
https://twitter.com/trafficscotland/status/672435950094589952
Road Haulage Association director Martin Reid said the bridge restriction creates a headache for haulage firms so soon before Christmas.
“There’s no doubt it is a headache but at the end of the day the safety of everybody who uses the bridge is paramount,” he said.
“People in the haulage industry are more than used to congestion happening on the bridge and are pretty resourceful.For more on this story, see Friday’s Courier or try our digital edition“They all need to be able to make any changes that are required when there is congestion or accidents.
“We would hope for some sort of leniency from clients, because there might be delays. Of course, where there are delays there are costs attached.
“We would rather be in a situation where the bridge was operating at full capacity and we would like that to happen as soon as possible. The quicker we get to that scenario the better.
“We have recommended to our members that they stick to the weight limit and if they are driving vehicles above that weight to use the A9 or M9, or the bridges up at Clackmannan and Kincardine.”
A spokesman for Stagecoach confirmed that the weight restriction will not apply to buses and services would operate as normal albeit subject to delays.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier said the decision to close the carriageways was not taken lightly.
The southbound route over the bridge was closed on Tuesday evening after engineers found the problem during a routine inspection.
A contraflow system was set up but motorists have battled huge queues at peak times ever since.
Please be assured the @forthroadbridge weight restriction doesn't apply to buses. Services operating as normal but still subject to delays
— Stagecoach East Scot (@StagecoachEScot) December 3, 2015
The road has not yet reopened and it will remain in place into Friday.
Nicola Sturgeon was asked at Holyrood by Kirkcaldy SNP MSP David Torrance what discussions had taken place with Transport Scotland and ScotRail to mitigate the disruption.
She said the national transport agency’s resilience room has been operating since the defect was identified and added that officials are working with roads operator Amey.
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: “The decision to close the southbound carriageway was not taken lightly because we understand the disruption to commuters that this will cause.
“But it was taken for the right reasons, for safety reasons. Measures to reopen it or reopen it partially will be taken as soon as it is safe to do so and I hope that assurance is welcome.
“I would take the opportunity to thank the travelling public for the patience they are showing at this time.”
Bridge users have been advised to divert via the Kincardine Bridge, the A9 or M9.
Users of the bridge are also facing new problems with warnings that strong winds on Friday could close the bridge completely.
The forecast is for very strong winds from mid-afternoon through to the early hours of Saturday.
The bridge is likely to be open to cars only during the evening peak period and a full bridge closure is possible around midnight.
Mark Arndt, of Amey, said: “Our site-specific weather forecast for the Forth Road Bridge is indicating very strong winds on Friday afternoon that may close the bridge to all vehicles except cars.
“The forecast then shows winds peaking around midnight with gusts that could potentially close the bridge to all traffic.
“We’re grateful to users of the bridge for the patience they have shown during the current traffic restrictions and appreciate that additional disruption due to weather is the last thing they need, however, our advice is to keep an eye on the weather and plan accordingly.”
Updated information is available at www.forthroadbridge.org.