Forth Road Bridge, a key trade route that links Edinburgh with the north east of Scotland, has reopened after closing yesterday (11 January) when a HGV lorry was blown over.
Overnight fresh produce wholesale trade was disrupted due to traffic backlogs, according to Eddie Bowers of Bradford firm Burbank Produce. The bridge was to remain closed during the evening peak travel period of 11 January.
The HGV was travelling northbound and overturned in high winds during the early hours of Wednesday morning. At this time the bridge was closed to high-sided vehicles.
Transport minister, Humza Yousaf, said: “The closure of the bridge was the result of an HGV driver ignoring travel advice and restrictions for high-sided vehicles using the bridge during a period of severe weather warnings. Thankfully no one was hurt in this incident, but a great deal of disruption has been caused.
“There are and will continue to be a number of severe weather warnings in place for the next few days. So, this is a timely reminder of the importance of listening to advice, checking travel bulletins before travelling and obeying Variable Message Sign (VMS) messaging, road restrictions and signed advice.”
Conditions over the coming days will lead to some difficult driving conditions, and gritting teams will be out across the period to help keep trunk roads moving, added Yousaf.
Forth Road Bridge spokesperson Mark Arndt said: “We’re pleased that the bridge has now been reopened but we are mindful that with adverse weather forecast for the coming days, there may be further restrictions.
“We’d urge drivers to check our website or the Traffic Scotland twitter feed for up-to-date travel information before they start their journey. And, of course, we’d strongly recommend that road users comply with any restrictions.
