The Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge to close overnight on Saturday

The Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions from 10pm on the night of Saturday, December 12.
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The closure is to allow Transport Scotland’s operating company BEAR Scotland to test the implementation of an emergency diversion.

All traffic will be diverted via the Kincardine Bridge until approximately 8am on the morning of Sunday, December 13, adding an estimated 36 miles and 40 minutes to affected journeys.

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Road users are being advised to plan ahead and allow extra time if they intend on travelling between the hours of 10pm and 8am in this area.

The Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions from 10pm on SaturdayThe Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions from 10pm on Saturday
The Queensferry Crossing and Forth Road Bridge will be closed to traffic in both directions from 10pm on Saturday

The west footpath on the Forth Road Bridge will remain open to cyclists and pedestrians.

Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s South East Unit Bridges Manager, said: “The purpose of this closure is to test how long it will take to implement an emergency diversion via the

Forth Road Bridge in the event that the Queensferry Crossing has to be closed to traffic.

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“This is a complex process involving removing roadside barriers and laying a large number of cones and signs, so we need to carry out a trial in order to measure precisely how

long it will take and refine our procedures. This will allow us to implement a diversion as quickly and efficiently as possible when required.

“It has always been our intention to use the Forth Road Bridge as an emergency diversion route once its full capacity is available. We’ve been working with Police Scotland and our

traffic management contractors to plan this test for some time.”

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