Alex Cole-Hamilton: reopen the Forth bridge to ease congestion

Alex-Cole Hamilton - credit Alex-Cole Hamilton

Congestion on the new Forth bridge has been so bad the old one must be temporarily reopened, a Liberal Democrat MSPs has said.

The new £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing was opened last week but has been hit by extensive queues in both direction, despite offering three lanes of traffic each way.

The old bridge has been closed for repairs which Transport Scotland say could take six to eight weeks.

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Edinburgh West MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton said: "With such a fantastic structure there was always going to be an addition to traffic due to tourists wanting to see the new structure.

“However it is clear that this is having a material impact on people's livelihood with some commuters from Fife missing half a day of work due to the excessive build-up of traffic.

"To help those who depend on free flowing traffic to on from Fife Transport Scotland should consider delaying the work to the Forth Road Bridge and keep it open until the 'tourist boom' of the new bridges passes."

Economy Secretary Keith Brown told the BBC the old Forth bridge was currently open to active travellers who walk or cycle.

"Hopefully when it becomes less of a novelty it will improve even further and within four to six weeks we expect to see the old bridge open and some of that further capacity released," he said.