New 70mph limit for crossing as it gears up to be a motorway

New year should see full regulations and traffic system in force

The Queensferry Crossing’s speed limit will rise to 70mph today.

The work required to ensure the £1.35 billion bridge can operate at the limit has now been completed.

And when consultation is complete in the new year, motorway regulations will come in to force.

In addition, the Intelligent Transport System is on schedule to then be operational across the entire scheme, a managed motorway which helps improve traffic flow and road safety by use of overheard gantries.

In advance of these final steps, a guide will be published to provide information for all users.

This will include the road layout and which vehicles can and cannot use the Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge when the regulations come into force. While the road layout is selfexplanatory for motorists, the guide is intended to give drivers of different vehicle classes the information they will need to plan their journeys.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “Since the initial study in 2007 the objective of this project has been to provide a replacement for the Forth Road Bridge. As such, the Queensferry Crossing does not increase capacity over the Forth and we still expect congestion at peak times.

“We hope the move to a 70mph speed limit will assist the scheme in operating as it was designed and has a positive impact on overall journey times.”

He added: “The new bridge provides a more resilient crossing for business and communities, as shown during Storm Caroline, when the bridge remained open to HGVs and buses, where the Forth Road Bridge would have had restrictions in place. This ensured we avoided any lengthy delays and diversions.

“As the entire scheme comes online the original aims of encouraging public transport use, increasing safety and smoothing traffic will begin to be realised.”

Picture: PA. Traffic will be able to travel legally at 70mph on the Queensferry Crossing from today.