Scottish businesses could seriously suffer if the Forth Road Bridge fails to reopen to heavy goods vehicles by the middle of February as promised, the Freight Transport Association has warned.

 

The bridge was closed on 3 December following discovery of defective steelwork. Temporary structural repairs (pictured) were then carried out allowing cars to be reintroduced to the bridge from late December.

 

But vehicles weighing over 7.5t – which account for 32% of the weight normally carried by the structure – have been forced on an 80km detour until mid February when a permanent repair is due to be in place. Timely completion of this repair is subject to favourable weather conditions and no further defects being identified.

 

“Freight operators need confidence that the bridge is going to reopen when Transport Scotland has promised it will,” said the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA’s) head of policy for Scotland Chris MacRae.

 

“If that date slips further businesses might seriously consider relocating, which would have a significant negative impact on employment in the region.”

 

This week has seen the European Commission approve a further relaxation of drivers’ hours in Scotland until 15 February in an attempt to help logistics operators cope with the disruption caused by the closed bridge.

 

FTA’s director of policy Karen Dee added: “The extension of the drivers’ hours relaxation will help operators to manage their fleets while the diversion is in place, but the priority must be to get the bridge open to HGVs as soon as possible.”

 

Interim repair measures carried out by operating company Amey during December involved installation of a steel splint to fix a cracked member at the crossing’s north east tower.

 

(Photo: Forth Road Bridge)