Canada ‘has solution to new bridge’s ice problem’
Warning to drivers... beware falling icicles
MOTORISTS using the Queensferry Crossing are still in danger of being hit by falling ice – even though near-identical bridges in Canada have been proofed against the problem for years.
Sliding collars have been fitted to cables on two structures in Vancouver to keep them clear of ice after drivers narrowly avoided tragedy during a cold snap in 2012.
Government ministers in British Columbia insisted that the technology be fitted – but Scots transport chiefs insisted the hazard was due to freak weather.
Scottish Government agency Transport Scotland claims there is no obvious remedy to the ice hazard on the £1.34billion bridge across the Forth.
Last week, officials passed off a series of incidents last spring involving direct hits on vehicles as the result of a ‘unique’ combination of conditions.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: ‘A few minutes on the internet would have allowed the Scottish authorities to identify a solution in Vancouver, which has a similar climate and is actually twinned with Edinburgh.
‘Either the problem was foreseen by the Queensferry team and not enough has been done to deal with it, or not enough thought was given in the first place to how the crossing can operate in all conditions.’
Last March, three motorists narrowly escaped injury when their vehicles were damaged by ice falling from cables during wintry weather.
Transport Secretary Michael Matheson told MSPs that ‘the issue was not anticipated for this bridge. It may take [the contractors] a bit of time to identify where the main areas of risk are and what can be put in place’.
Earlier this month, though, Transport Scotland reported back that the problem had been caused by ‘unique’ weather conditions. However, the hazard is actually typical of cable-stayed bridges – with their iconic ‘sail’ design – such as the Queensferry Crossing.
When 300 cars were damaged and several motorists injured by ice falling from the Port Mann Bridge in Vancouver in 2012, the authorities called in experts to design a remedy.
Now each cable has a collar that slides down and clears any accretions before they reach dangerous levels.
In 2018, British Columbia installed a similar system on the Alex Fraser Bridge also in Vancouver, which has a similar climate to the Central Belt.
A spokesman for the province’s ministry of transportation said: ‘In addition to the cable collars, crews use a deicing spray which is applied in advance of predicted snowfalls. The ministry is not aware of anyone from the Queensferry Crossing reaching out to discuss these systems.’
Last night, a Transport Scotland spokesman said: ‘We have taken expert advice on this issue. Some of the solutions used in other countries are due to much harsher winters and these are not appropriate to the problem in Scotland.’