Scottish fresh produce businesses are facing major disruption following news that the Forth Road Bridge will be closed until after New Year.
The bridge, which links Edinburgh and the surrounding area to Fife and north east of Scotland, has severe structural defects. It has been closed since last midnight, according to BBC News, with initial reports saying it would be shut for at least 24 hours.
Now transport minister Derek Mackay has said it must close for longer to prevent further damage, despite the risk to economic impact on freight traffic to the north east of Scotland.
“We are aware of the potential economic impact, for strategic traffic in the east of Scotland and on people living in local communities,” said Mackay.
“This is an unprecedented challenge in the maintenance of the Forth Road Bridge. On balance following advice from engineers and independent experts, the full closure is essential for the safety of the travelling public and to prevent further damage to the structure of the bridge.”
Additional rail capacity was put on overnight and a full travel plan is being prepared for the duration of the closure. Work is already underway to repair the bridge, with a view that it would reopen in January. A road diversion for freight traffic would involve taking the M9 west of Edinburgh and then the M876 to cross the river at Kincardine.
“Every effort is being made to open the bridge as quickly as possible but safety is the main priority, however these works are weather dependent given the height and location of the bridge,” Mackay continued.
“We are taking every step we can to lessen the impact of this closure. Action now, will mean that any closure is much shorter than it might be if we waited.”
The defects are understood to have only occurred in the last few weeks.
