Over 20 drivers hit by ice and debris on new bridge

MORE than 20 motorists have been hit by falling debris or ice from the Queensferry Crossing since it opened.

It means the £1.35billion bridge has now cost the taxpayer at least £17,500 in compensation claims.

Critics called it a ‘national embarrassment’ in January due to the bridge being constantly closed in icy conditions.

In July last year sensors were installed to provide early warning of any ice building up.

However, this year alone, carriageways on the bridge have been closed for more than six hours after ice was spotted falling from suspension cables.

Since the crossing was opened in August 2017, Transport Scotland has received 23 compensation claims, with the majority of those being in the past year.

Figures, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, revealed that the Government has paid out £17,511 in claims relating to falling ice and debris.

After one particularly icy day last year, 14 drivers lodged claims relating to falling snow and ice, costing £17,324. Two people were injured and lodged personal injury claims.

In 2019, six commuters received payouts totalling £187, including three motorists who were compensated after debris fell from the bridge.

Another two drivers claimed for falling ice and one driver’s car was damaged by signage that fell. There have been two compensation claims lodged by bridge users this year and another one from 2018 which does not appear to have been settled yet.

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Alex Rowley said: ‘To build a £1.3billion bridge in Scotland without factoring in conditions such as ice and snow is beyond belief.

‘The Scottish Government may have installed sensors to combat the problem but as recently as January we saw massive tailbacks as drivers faced detours due to the bridge being closed.

‘Now we find claims to the tune of £17,324 were paid out last year. It’s a joke.’

He added: ‘The Scottish Government must own up to its failures and offer guarantees that it can provide safe crossings of all vehicles in severe winter conditions.’

Images have shown the damage inflicted on motorists below, with large chunks of snow and ice falling from heights of almost 700ft and smashing windscreens.

Transport Scotland said it has no ‘viable solution which will prevent ice accretion on the bridge’ at present but ‘much work has been undertaken in the last two years and various options are being considered’.