Commuters suffered 121 days of lane closures on Queensferry Crossing last year

Frustrated commuters have faced hold-ups in one out of three days on the new £1.35bn Queensferry Crossing since it opened, new figures show.
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There were 121 days of lane restrictions last year, according to figures released by the Scottish Government.

Some of the roadworks have lasted up to two-and-a-half weeks prompting opposition claims of “mismanagement” of the project by SNP ministers.

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And the situation shows little sign of improvement, after 57 days of restrictions in the first half of this year.

Queensferry Crossing. Picture: Ian GeorgesonQueensferry Crossing. Picture: Ian Georgeson
Queensferry Crossing. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Long tailbacks on the flagship crossing have been an unwelcome feature for drivers since it was opened in August 2017, with finishing works to continue beyond the second anniversary of its opening to the public.

Tory MSP for mid-Scotland and Fife, Dean Lockhart said: “These figures provide definitive proof that since it opened, drivers using the Queensferry Crossing have been consistently hampered by delays and 
restrictions. The least commuters could have expected from the new crossing was that it would help them get to work on time, but this simply hasn’t been the case.

“Instead there have been consistent lane closures causing lengthy and consistent delays.

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“The SNP’s haste and mismanagement when it comes to this project is to blame, and they need to explain when they think they will get on top of these issues.”

The worst month for hold-ups was May last year when 26 out of 31 days were affected by lane restrictions. April of this year saw 14 days of lane restrictions. The duration of the works have varied from four minutes to 17 days and there could be more than one restriction at a time.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: “Nearly 80,000 vehicles use the Queensferry Crossing each day, and since opening, there have been over 20 occasions when it has remained open when the Forth Road Bridge would have been closed or restricted for HGVs.

“As is standard on any major trunk road carrying this level of daily traffic, there has been a wide variety of reasons for lane restrictions on the Queensferry Crossing since 2018 – including accidents, breakdowns, roadworks and the removal of hazardous items.”