Queensferry Crossing snagging work won't finish until end of 2019

Snagging work on the Queensferry Crossing won't finish until next year

The confirmation comes with drivers over the River Forth having suffered months of delays from snagging work, which was due to be finished in September.

However, new transport secretary Michael Matheson has revealed painting the underside of the road deck will not now be finished until December 2019. This is because of delays installing a platform to ensure the safety of workers in all weathers.

The setback means the finishing touches will not be put to the bridge until more than two years after it opened in August last year.

It was revealed in November that off-peak lane closures would continue for ten months to finish the project. But Mr Matheson said the painting work would not affect drivers.

He said contractors building the £1.35 billion crossing had “confirmed that undertaking this work will not compromise the use or integrity of the structure and traffic flow will not be impacted”. In a letter to MSPs, the cabinet secretary said: “Whilst Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) have provided their firm assurance that the work will be completed, they have requested a relaxation of the delivery timescale to deliver the work in the most economical manner possible, allowing them to better manage available resources.

“In this context, and in the knowledge the work will be completed at no additional cost to the public purse, I consider it appropriate that additional time is permitted to allow the contractor to work in the most economical fashion and to complete the works by the end of 2019.”

Mr Matheson said his officials had been assured by FCBC they were on schedule to complete the rest of the 23-point snagging and finishing list by September. It includes lighting, drainage and concrete work. Transport Scotland had said the snagging work would have a “minimal impact” on traffic.

However, drivers have complained that even late evening Edinburgh-Fife trips have taken twice as long as normal because of lane closures. John Baxter tweeted: “What’s going on with Queensferry Crossing? It’s back to looking like a building site. What a mess and many delays.”

Neil Greig, of motoring group IAM RoadSmart, said: “Despite assurances on traffic flow being unaffected, any activity around the bridge could cause delay due to distraction or extra works vehicle movement.”

Scottish Labour transport spokesman Colin Smyth said: “The Scottish Government have consistently claimed the crossing would be completed by September, so it is hugely frustrating this work will drag on for another year.”

His Scottish Conservatives counterpart Jamie Greene said: “Minor works are expected, but given the time it is taking to complete them it raises questions about whether the bridge was opened too early.”

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “It was always our intention to open the bridge at the earliest opportunity to ensure the benefits of a more reliable crossing over the Forth could be realised quickly.”