Bridge fixes needed quickly

Sir, – Recently Markinch Heritage Society organised a meeting at which the speaker talked about the bridges on or over the River Forth (there are 37).

The attendance on a cold Thursday night was remarkable – nearly 70 people.

I just wonder if any of their number had a prescience about the closure of the Queensferry Crossing on Monday of this week, and the reasons for it.

It is disappointing that a venture that involved engineering expertise from all over the world should need to be closed because of adverse weather conditions.

A question that does need to be asked is whether the bridge was opened in August 2017 before all anticipated technical hitches could be overcome.

Much fanfare was made about a possible opening before the end of 2016.

When that proved not to be possible because of weather conditions in the summer of that year, the revised opening date quickly became a matter of speculation and political intrigue.

There must have come a point when the Scottish Government was no longer willing to counter further delay.

Just what was not done that should have been done before the official opening by the Queen?

The public did have high expectations of what this marvellous piece of infrastructure could endure in the sometimes harsh Scottish climate.

If you had to make a detour by Kincardine Bridge in the time the bridge was closed, you can feel peeved and rightly so.

Transport Minister Michael Matheson should make quick amends by ensuring that the technology to overcome ice on cables is introduced as soon as possible.

Bob Taylor. 24 Shiel Court, Glenrothes.