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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Forth Road Bridge to close from midnight | Forth Road Bridge to close from midnight |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Forth Road Bridge is to be completely closed from midnight for repairs to structural faults. | The Forth Road Bridge is to be completely closed from midnight for repairs to structural faults. |
| A spokesman for Transport Scotland said the bridge was likely to remain closed for at least 24 hours. | A spokesman for Transport Scotland said the bridge was likely to remain closed for at least 24 hours. |
| The southbound carriageway has been closed and a contraflow has been in place since defects were discovered in steelworks on Tuesday. | The southbound carriageway has been closed and a contraflow has been in place since defects were discovered in steelworks on Tuesday. |
| Since then inspections have identified eight other parts of the bridge where similar problems could be encountered. | Since then inspections have identified eight other parts of the bridge where similar problems could be encountered. |
| The closure decision was taken late on Thursday after the latest reports indicated the faults were more serious than had earlier been thought. | The closure decision was taken late on Thursday after the latest reports indicated the faults were more serious than had earlier been thought. |
| No timescale has been given for when the crossing will reopen but an update will be given on Friday. | No timescale has been given for when the crossing will reopen but an update will be given on Friday. |
| 'Precautionary measure' | 'Precautionary measure' |
| Scotland's Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "In light of the latest information and expert advice we've been recommended to close the Forth Road Bridge. | Scotland's Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: "In light of the latest information and expert advice we've been recommended to close the Forth Road Bridge. |
| "The reason for that is that further traffic could cause further damage, having identified a fault. Therefore the bridge has to be closed. | "The reason for that is that further traffic could cause further damage, having identified a fault. Therefore the bridge has to be closed. |
| "I know that causes significant disruption and I thank travellers and drivers for their patience but we have to close the bridge for reasons of safety, to undertake investigation and repairs. | "I know that causes significant disruption and I thank travellers and drivers for their patience but we have to close the bridge for reasons of safety, to undertake investigation and repairs. |
| "Therefore I would advise the travelling public to avoid travelling if they were going to use the Forth Road Bridge tomorrow." | "Therefore I would advise the travelling public to avoid travelling if they were going to use the Forth Road Bridge tomorrow." |
| Officials had earlier spoken of putting a "temporary fix" in place before longer term repairs were undertaken. | Officials had earlier spoken of putting a "temporary fix" in place before longer term repairs were undertaken. |
| However, concern grew that allowing traffic to flow on one side of the bridge only could lead to more damage and ultimately result in a much longer closure, possibly lasting several months. | However, concern grew that allowing traffic to flow on one side of the bridge only could lead to more damage and ultimately result in a much longer closure, possibly lasting several months. |
| A spokesman stressed there was no immediate danger of a major structural failure and the closure was a precautionary action. | A spokesman stressed there was no immediate danger of a major structural failure and the closure was a precautionary action. |
| In a statement Transport Scotland said: "A full closure of the bridge is being put into effect after midnight on Thursday December 3, 2015. | In a statement Transport Scotland said: "A full closure of the bridge is being put into effect after midnight on Thursday December 3, 2015. |
| "The Forth Road Bridge is to shut following the discovery of defective steelwork earlier this week. | "The Forth Road Bridge is to shut following the discovery of defective steelwork earlier this week. |
| "The decision has been taken as a precautionary step after inspections carried out earlier this week showed a fault in the bridge steelwork. | "The decision has been taken as a precautionary step after inspections carried out earlier this week showed a fault in the bridge steelwork. |
| "The results of earlier inspections will continue to be analysed overnight." | "The results of earlier inspections will continue to be analysed overnight." |
| The restrictions on one of Scotland's major transport routes had already led to major disruption with long tailbacks affecting commuters on Thursday. | The restrictions on one of Scotland's major transport routes had already led to major disruption with long tailbacks affecting commuters on Thursday. |
| Troubled waters | Troubled waters |
| Before the bridge was opened by the Queen on 4 September 1964, cars could only get across the Forth on a ferry. | Before the bridge was opened by the Queen on 4 September 1964, cars could only get across the Forth on a ferry. |
| So the Forth Road Bridge, which at the time was the fourth biggest suspension bridge in the world and the longest outside the United States, was welcomed as an engineering marvel. | So the Forth Road Bridge, which at the time was the fourth biggest suspension bridge in the world and the longest outside the United States, was welcomed as an engineering marvel. |
| It transformed the journey between Edinburgh and Fife and from the north of Scotland to the south. | It transformed the journey between Edinburgh and Fife and from the north of Scotland to the south. |
| Traffic on the crossing grew steadily and it now carries 24 million vehicles across the Forth every year - far more than it was originally designed to handle. | Traffic on the crossing grew steadily and it now carries 24 million vehicles across the Forth every year - far more than it was originally designed to handle. |
| But its reputation for engineering excellence has been tarnished over the years by traffic congestion and maintenance problems. | But its reputation for engineering excellence has been tarnished over the years by traffic congestion and maintenance problems. |
| Read more on the troubles of the Forth Road Bridge | Read more on the troubles of the Forth Road Bridge |
| The latest faults following concern about corrosion of the main suspension cables which prompted ministers to order a new crossing. | |
| A new £1.4bn Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth is due to open in December next year. | A new £1.4bn Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth is due to open in December next year. |