Forth Road Bridge could reopen to general traffic in emergency

EXCLUSIVE: Chaos caused by closure of the Queensferry Crossing leads to feasibility inquiry into re-use of original route

The Forth Road Bridge could be reopened to general traffic under emergency circumstances, the Scottish Government has revealed.

Transport minister Michael Matheson has confirmed officials are investigating the feasibility of reopening the original bridge following last month’s closure of the Queensferry Crossing.

It had to be shut for the first time since it opened in 2017, after ice and snow fell from cables on to vehicles below.

The closure sparked lengthy tailbacks as drivers were forced to take a 35-mile diversion over the Kincardine Bridge and led to many local businesses counting the cost of the disruption.

Demands were made at the time to divert traffic on to the Forth Road Bridge to keep the M90 corridor moving. Officials said this was not possible.

However, in a letter addressing concerns raised by Fife Council about last month’s situation, Mr Matheson said the Scottish Government is “actively seeking a viable option” to address ice accretion on the Queensferry Crossing.

He added: “We will investigate the feasibility of reopening the Forth Road Bridge to general traffic under emergency circumstances, once the remaining works are complete and the contraflow is removed.

“Following the occurrence of falling ice in March 2019, Transport Scotland engaged with expert advisers on additional measures that could be taken to enhance operational management of this issue, together with a review of worldwide experience of ice accumulation.

“This work concluded with a recommendation that arrangements be made for the acquisition of specialist weather forecasts, together with the installation of additional weather sensors and ice accretion sensors.

“Since then arrangements for the provision of specialist weather forecasts have been put in place and work has been progressing on the procurement of supply and installation of the weather and ice accretion sensors.”

Mr Matheson explained the decision was not taken to reopen the Forth Road Bridge as it is undergoing significant renovation work on the main expansion joints and has a contraflow in operation.

Councillor David Ross, Labour co-leader of Fife Council, said: “Whilst I accept that roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge made it very difficult to reopen the bridge on this occasion, this resulted in significant travel congestion in the Kincardine area and this is something that should be avoided in future if at all possible.”

Picture: Shutterstock. The way we were – the Forth Road Bridge when open to general traffic, looking north from South Queensferry during morning rush hour.