Published on 30 Apr 2010
Commuters travelling south on the Forth Road Bridge experienced long delays this morning following a temporary lane closure to allow for emergency repairs to damage caused by an unauthorised heavy vehicle on the bridge.
 Camera 02 from 30_04_2010 02_42_19.jpg "The combine harvester crossing the bridge")
The heavy combine harvester, classed as an abnormal load, attempted to cross without permission at 02.44 and subsequently drove through cones and struck the steel grillage at the side of the carriageway. The vehicle had driven past signs requiring abnormal loads to stop and await permission before being escorted across.
Fortunately Forth Road Bridge staff were on site at the time carrying out routine maintenance and were able to undertake immediate emergency repairs. Repair work was finished and traffic restrictions had been completely removed by 07:28. However, the knock-on effect of restrictions during the morning peak meant that delays for bridge users continued well into the morning.
Fife Constabulary attended the scene and have interviewed the driver of the vehicle.
The Bridge:
Facts & Figures
Opened 1964, 2.5 km long, Main span 1006 metres
divider
- No restrictions on bridge (19:34 UTC 04/02/12)