Winds prove a big crane in the neck

THE opening of the new Queensferry Crossing has again been delayed due to poor weather.

Ministers are expected to confirm as early as this week that the revised target of having traffic on the bridge by May has slipped.

The £1.3 billion crossing was originally meant to be open by December last year.

However, high winds have hampered efforts to complete the biggest construction project in Scottish history.

And with less than 10 weeks to go, it has again been hit by delays in key areas, such as the removal of gigantic cranes.

The Sunday Post asked Transport Scotland for updates on a string of critical project milestones, such as the installation of cables.

But the quango declined to answer, only stating that it will make an announcement in the coming weeks.

Project bosses have previously promised to inform parliament first of any change to the timetable.

Alex Cole-Hamilton, Lib Dem MSP for Edinburgh Western, said: “Residents in my constituency and across Scotland will be dismayed to hear of yet another delay.

“The contractor’s first priority has to be safety and we know the men and women building the bridge are working as hard as they can but questions need to be asked about how we got into this situation.”

The Sunday Post first revealed doubts over the new crossing’s opening date in December 2015.

We revealed potentially crippling delays to the 1.7-mile link, with work on its towers and vehicle deck months behind schedule.

The taxpayer will not be left out of pocket due to the delays as the project is on a fixed-price contract.

And if the works go beyond June, the quango can claim for damages.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors, the contractor, is making every effort to open this iconic structure at the earliest opportunity.

“Extra resources have been brought in and an additional 200 people have been working on site since the turn of the year. The target date for opening to traffic remains the end of May.

“However, severe weather will always be a factor, and continues to have an impact on construction.

“Health and safety is the No 1 priority and we remain fully focused on completing the work safely.

“Our contractor is currently analysing its programme and we expect to be able to announce the date for opening to traffic soon.”