Bridge bosses could fast-track speed limit increase amid traffic delay woes

TRANSPORT bosses are considering fast-tracking a speed limit increase on the Queensferry Crossing to deal with congestion.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf faced questions at Holyrood on the traffic jams, which have affected both sides of the new £1.35 billion bridge across the Forth since it opened.

Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton called for the Forth Road Bridge to be temporarily re-opened to help cope with the extra traffic. He said: “My constituents should not have to endure another weekend such as the one we have just had, with many waiting hours in traffic and some even losing income.”

Mr Yousaf said there were “difficulties” with re-opening the old road bridge to motorists and said steps were being taken to combat congestion on

Traffic delays continue on the Queensferry Crossing.

the new crossing, which includes tourist traffic.

He said: “The first days of operation of the Queensferry Crossing have resulted in increased congestion.”

He said signs had been erected at either end of the new crossing to encourage drivers to use the full

length of the sliproad to merge into traffic in a bid to cut delays. He added: “Consideration is also being given to raising the speed limit from 40mph to 50mph as soon as the central reserve barrier installation has been completed and it is safe to do so.” WORK to remove the final radioactive fuel elements in the Dounreay nuclear power station has begun, it has been confirmed.

While most of the core fuel was removed after the nuclear fast reactor was closed in 1977, almost two thirds – nearly 1,000 elements – had to be left in place inside after some were found to be swollen and jammed.

The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has now confirmed a team has started working on it after many years of testing remote controlled devices that could be used to do the work.

Removing the remaining elements is expected to take about three years, after which work will begin on dismantling the iconic dome-shaped reactor which is situated in the