Forth Road Bridge closed along with ALL Fife schools

THE Forth Road Bridge has been closed along with all schools in Fife as snow continues to fall across much of the country.

A decision was made to close the Forth Road Bridge at around 2am last night.

Since the opening of the Queensferry Crossing last year, the 1960s bridge is now used as a traffic corridor for public transport such as buses and non-motorway traffic.

Bus companies have been advised of the Forth Road Bridge’s closure and have been diverted to the Queensferry Crossing, which is operating as normal.

All non-motorway traffic has been told to use the Clackmannanshire Bridge.

Road clearing throughout the region is ongoing.

The Met Office has issued Amber weather warnings for Edinburgh and Fife until 7pm on Thursday.

Forecasters have said that this may yet be raised to a Red weather warning - for the first time since the system was devised - if the situation worsens.

A red weather warning means a high potential of “widespread damage”, travel and power disruption and risk to life.

Fife Council confirmed late last night all 270 schools, and community use facilities, would remain closed today.

Police advise travel only if journeys are essential.

Steve Grimmond, Fife Council’s Chief Executive, said: “The Met Office is telling us we are facing some extremely challenging conditions over the next few days. We must follow the national advice and the safety instructions issued by Police Scotland.

“Keeping our roads as clear as possible is also vital for our emergency services so they can reach people who need them quickly. In spite of all efforts made to clear snow and grit it seems inevitable that driving conditions will be dangerous. Please put your safety, and the safety of others, first.”

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