The Forth Road Bridge (FRB) is to shut until the New Year for repairs following the discovery of defective steelwork. Following a meeting of the Scottish Government Resilience Committee (SGoRR), chaired by the First Minister, the decision to close has been taken after inspections carried out by specialist engineers and following advice and assessment of the fault by independent experts. Work is already under way to repair the FRB and this will be done as quickly as possible with a view that it will be reopened to traffic to allow it to be used for the return to work in January. Additional rail capacity was put on overnight and a full travel plan is being prepared for the duration of the closure. This will include further additional rail services. All other options are being explored including a dedicated bus corridor with park and ride facilities and passenger ferry services across the Forth.
In the meantime, we encourage people carefully consider their travel plans and whether journeys are necessary. We would urge them to check conditions before they set-out and look at options like car-sharing and public transport alternatives.Emergency vehicles will still be able to use the FRB in bluelight situations.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “The decision to close the Forth Road Bridge is not taken lightly. It is based on the expert opinion of the engineers who operate the bridge day to day and that of independent experts in the field.