A bridge too busy, as motorists queue to make the first crossing
IT was more than ten years in the making and was hailed as the answer to many commuters’ woes – but the opening of the £1.35billion Queensferry Crossing yesterday was hit by the same delays, tailbacks and breakdowns that plagued its predecessor.
The usual rush-hour traffic between Edinburgh and Fife, coupled with an influx of motorists keen to be among the first to make the crossing, brought traffic down to a snail’s pace in both directions with long tailbacks. A lorry that broke down around 7am caused yet more confusion.
Northbound traffic had been diverted onto what is now the UK’s tallest bridge around 2am yesterday.
A long convoy of vehicles trailing police cars were the first to cross, with many of those behind the wheel honking their horns and blowing whistles in celebration. Among those making the historic crossing was Economy Secretary Keith Brown, who said: ‘It’s fantastic. You immediately notice the absence of the slap, slap, slap that you get on the old bridge. It’s a very smooth passage right across.’
Once the novelty has passed and the temporary 40mph speed limit is raised to 70mph, it is hoped there will be fewer delays on the 1.7 mile bridge, which will be closed to motorists at the weekend while 50,000 pedestrians make the crossing before the official opening by the Queen on Monday.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘The bridge itself remained free-flowing despite an early breakdown. The driver was able to make use of the new hard shoulder.’