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Forth Road Bridge closure causes 11-mile tailback | |
(34 minutes later) | |
Traffic queues have reached 11 miles on alternative routes after the Forth Road Bridge was closed by structural faults. | |
Transport minister Derek Mackay said it was too early to say how long it would be closed but it would be "not just today". | Transport minister Derek Mackay said it was too early to say how long it would be closed but it would be "not just today". |
The total closure came into force at midnight with initial guidance it would remain shut for at least 24 hours. | The total closure came into force at midnight with initial guidance it would remain shut for at least 24 hours. |
Early on Friday morning, 11 mile tailbacks have been reported approaching the Kincardine Bridge. | |
The southbound carriageway had been shut since the discovery of steelwork defects during inspections on Tuesday. | The southbound carriageway had been shut since the discovery of steelwork defects during inspections on Tuesday. |
Since then engineers have identified eight other parts of the bridge where similar problems could be encountered. | Since then engineers have identified eight other parts of the bridge where similar problems could be encountered. |
Mr Mackay told the BBC Good Morning Scotland programme: "Ministers are meeting again by teleconference this morning with further advice on what the repair plan looks like. | Mr Mackay told the BBC Good Morning Scotland programme: "Ministers are meeting again by teleconference this morning with further advice on what the repair plan looks like. |
"I'll be able to say more about that later today. I don't want to give a timescale only to change it within a few hours. | "I'll be able to say more about that later today. I don't want to give a timescale only to change it within a few hours. |
"It's not going to be just today." | "It's not going to be just today." |
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. |
Mr Mackay added: "It's important, on the expert advice we've had, that we get access to the site. | Mr Mackay added: "It's important, on the expert advice we've had, that we get access to the site. |
"It's quite a restricted and difficult to access area to look at the repairs that are required. | "It's quite a restricted and difficult to access area to look at the repairs that are required. |
"There's a complete bridge closure because the advice we've been given is that continuing to have traffic flowing across the bridge will cause further damage." | "There's a complete bridge closure because the advice we've been given is that continuing to have traffic flowing across the bridge will cause further damage." |
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. |
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." |
Rail congestion | Rail congestion |
Since Tuesday vehicles have been using the northbound carriageway only with a contraflow system in place. | Since Tuesday vehicles have been using the northbound carriageway only with a contraflow system in place. |
The restrictions on one of Scotland's major transport routes led to major disruption with long tailbacks affecting commuters on Wednesday and Thursday. | The restrictions on one of Scotland's major transport routes led to major disruption with long tailbacks affecting commuters on Wednesday and Thursday. |
The rail operator has warned that trains crossing the Forth are likely to be exceptionally busy. | The rail operator has warned that trains crossing the Forth are likely to be exceptionally busy. |
A ScotRail spokeswoman said: "We are working to see what we might be able to do to add more capacity to what is already an extremely busy route. | A ScotRail spokeswoman said: "We are working to see what we might be able to do to add more capacity to what is already an extremely busy route. |
"However, even if we do manage to add carriages or services in the area, trains are likely to be incredibly busy at peak travel times. | "However, even if we do manage to add carriages or services in the area, trains are likely to be incredibly busy at peak travel times. |
"So if you don't need to travel, then it's probably best that you don't." | "So if you don't need to travel, then it's probably best that you don't." |
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 |
Now more than 50 years old, the planned traffic capacity of the bridge is regularly exceeded, shortening its projected lifespan. | Now more than 50 years old, the planned traffic capacity of the bridge is regularly exceeded, shortening its projected lifespan. |
Concern about corrosion of the main suspension cables, first confirmed more than a decade ago, prompted ministers to order a new crossing. | Concern about corrosion of the main suspension cables, first confirmed more than a decade ago, 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. |