Crossing stays open when winds would have shut Forth Road Bridge

The Queensferry Crossing has passed its first major weatherrelated test, remaining open to all traffic on a day when high winds would have closed the Forth Road Bridge to some vehicles.

The new £1.3 billion bridge across the Firth of Forth, which opened to traffic in August, has 3.5 metre high wind shields allowing it to remain open to lorries and other vehicles in stormy weather. Wind speeds hit more than 50mph yesterday morning, conditions which would have resulted in the closure of the Forth Road Bridge to all high sided vehicles and motorbikes.

But the wind shields meant that traffic was able to use the new bridge, with Transport Scotland confirming that this was the first time such a situation had arisen.

The effectiveness of the new system will come as a relief to ministers, who have been forced to defend the fre- quent traffic tailbacks on the Queensferry Crossing since it opened.

The extreme weather led to the closure of the Forth Road Bridge to cyclists and pedestrians for much of the day, with the crossing only reopening at around 3:15pm.

But members of the public using the new bridge reported that they could not feel the effects of the wind.

One motorcyclist wrote the experience was “very pleasant” and a “great improvement”. Multi-award-winning equity release specialist Age Partnership can help homeowners decide if equity release is right for them, how much they can release and what impact it could have on the size of their estate including their entitlement to means-tested benefits now, or in the future. Equity release may involve a lifetime mortgage or a home reversion plan. To understand the features and risks, ask for a personalised illustration. You only continue to own your own home with a lifetime mortgage, which is secured against your property. They provide initial advice for free and without obligation. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes would a typical fee of 2% of the amount released be payable.