Drivers facing crossing speed limit amid efforts to halt ice building up

Drivers on the Queensferry Crossing face a reduced speed limit for up to six weeks as workers clean cables on the bridge.

The operation, starting on Monday, is to help ensure the bridge does not close due to falling ice.

Experts believe cleaning the cables with soap and water will cut the chance on an ice build-up.

The bridge has closed several times since 2017 due to ice falling from cables and towers.

Teams of technicians will abseil from the 207m tower and wash down the sheaths around the steel strands.

A 40mph speed limit will be in force during the work from Monday to Friday, between 7am and 6pm, for five or six weeks.

Chris Tracey, Bear Scotland’s unit bridges manager for the south-east, said: “Since the Queensferry Crossing opened to traffic, dust and dirt has accumulated on the cables.

“These tiny particles may be helping ice to accrete as crystals form around them.

“By cleaning the cables on one tower we will be able to measure the impact this has.

“As part of the project, thermal cameras are being installed at the top of each tower to monitor and measure any formation of ice.

“On this occasion the cleaning will be carried out by rope access technicians. However work is also progressing on the design of a machine to carry out this task in future, should the trial prove successful.”

Tests are also being carried out on methods of preventing the build-up of ice at a specialist centre in France.

The Queensferry Crossing has closed several times.