Third Forth Road Bridge closure ‘no longer needed’

MOTORISTS will not face a third weekend of closures on the Forth Road Bridge after road works were completed ahead of schedule, the Scottish Government have confirmed.

The Forth Road Bridge had been reduced to a single lane each way because of a steel defect.

The successful demolition of the old B800 bridge between Kirkliston and South Queensferry will mean a third weekend of work will no longer be needed.

Road users were forced to divert via the Kincardine Bridge, the M9 and the A985 on two previous weekends from October 24 when demolition work was carried out as part of the construction of the new Queensferry Crossing.

The Scottish Government confirmed on Wednesday that no further road closures were required as all demolition work had been completed.

Steven Brown, Transport Scotland’s roads and infrastructure manager, said: “It’s a credit to the team at Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) and their subcontractors Beattie Demolition that they have completed the work on schedule and as planned, so the third reserve weekend is not now required.

“There has been extensive planning put in place for these works. All parties are to be congratulated for the open communication and effective co-ordination ensuring a significant number of additional activities could take place over the closed carriageways, over and above the essential demolition works.”

In addition to the demolition work, 17 other potentially disruptive works were completed during the Forth Road Bridge closures at the end of October.