Freight industry representatives are calling for the Scottish Government to compensate hauliers following further delays to the full reopening of the Forth Road Bridge.

 

The bridge is now due to reopen to heavy goods vehicles in mid March – one month after the date previously planned by Transport Scotland – although a trial allowing limited night time access began last week.

 

“Partial reopening of the bridge is better than none at all, but there will be planning and cost implications for operators of this second movement of the reopening date,” said the Freight Transport Association’s head of policy for Scotland Chris MacRae.

 

Road Haulage Association chief executive Richard Burnett added: “The Scottish Government must find the funds to compensate those operators who, through no fault of their own, have found themselves out of pocket for several months.”

 

Transport Scotland’s trial allows around 600 HGVs to make northbound crossings of the bridge between 11pm and 4am nightly, subject to weather conditions. During these hours a dedicated HGV lane and stacking area is in operation to help manage the traffic flow across the bridge. Traffic signals release vehicles on to the bridge at a rate of one every 30 seconds to minimise impact on the structure.

 

The trial comes after structural monitoring systems installed at the truss end links of the bridge indicated that a further phase of repair work needs to be completed before it can fully reopen to HGVs. Transport Scotland says high wind and wet weather has limited opportunities to carry out these repairs, resulting in the delay.

 

Mr Burnett said: “We understand the reason for the trials but remain concerned that only a limited number of HGVs will be able to cross and for a very short time period.

 

“It is essential that these trials bring a swift conclusion to the repair work that has been undertaken and that the bridge is restored to full capacity as a matter of extreme urgency.”

 

Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Every effort is being made to carry out the repair work as quickly as is possible. When the phase two strengthening works are complete the bridge will reopen to HGVs with no restrictions.”

 

The bridge was originally closed on 3 December following discovery of defective steelwork. Temporary structural repairs allowed cars to be reintroduced to the bridge three weeks later while vehicles weighing over 7.5t have used an 80km detour.

 

Photo: Forth Road Bridge by mjtmail/Creative Commons