Diversions onto Forth Road Bridge halted due to high winds

The Forth Road Bridge remains closed this morning due to high winds with the Queensferry Crossing open in both directions.

• READ MORE: Queensferry Crossing closure: Everything you need to know

The decision has been taken due to the weather forecast in the coming days. With high winds expected it would result in peak time restrictions on the diversion route over the Forth Road Bridge.

It was thought that the Forth Road Bridge diversion would be in place this morning, but it has been unable to open due to winds.

Diversions on to the Forth Road Bridge have been halted due to high winds

A 40mph speed limit is in place on the Queensferry Crossing.

Snagging work is being undertaken on the crossing with the aim of increasing the speed limit to 70mph by the end of December.

Significant progress has been made, allowing the lane closures to be lifted during the day time with work completed during off-peak, night time only, lane closures for the remainder of this week.

Humza Yousaf, transport minister, said: “I would like to thank the travelling public for their patience while this work has been underway.

Queensferry Crossing lane closures to be lifted. Picture: Lisa Ferguson

“With the weather set to deteriorate over the coming days and with significant progress having been made on the snagging work we have decided to reprofile the work on the Queensferry Crossing, opening it to all traffic tomorrow, to ensure that traffic continues to move across the Forth despite the weather.

“An increased risk of high winds at peak times could result in the need to restrict the traffic using the Forth Road Bridge. Given how important this time of year is to both businesses and the community, we have decided to reopen the Queensferry Crossing in both directions overnight on December 4 in order to avoid peak time disruption.

“The snagging work remains on programme and we are on course to increase the speed limit on the bridge to 70 mph by the end of the month and the remaining finishing work on the joints will be completed this week with only late night, off peak lane closures.

“While we do not anticipate delays outside of the normal peak traffic, as ever I would advise people to plan ahead and take account of traffic information before setting off.”