AN action group has been set up to tackle lorries ignoring high-wind warnings on the Forth Road Bridge.
Drivers are facing delays of up to two hours on approaches to the crossing during periods of high-wind, as police deal with lorries ignoring warnings not to cross.
Bridge operator FETA is powerless to stop high-sided vehicles crossing since the to
ll booths were demolished.
The bridgemaster has drafted in the help of police after dozens of lorries tried to ignore warnings not to cross in poor weather in recent months.
When the wind warnings are in place, two patrol cars park on the northbound plaza with officers flagging down any lorries and sending them to the Kincardine Bridge. A similar operation is put in place on the Fife side.
However, delays of between one and two hours are being experienced on the A90, M9 spur and A904 during the rush hour, according to FETA.
Bridge bosses have now convened a group of transport, council and police officials to look at ways of stopping lorries ignoring the warnings and preventing delays.
This includes a review of all roadside communications and closer working with the haulage industry.
Police chiefs today revealed they had been called to the bridge five times in recent months, with officers in place for up to nine hours.
Chief Inspector Sandy Allan, of the Lothian and Borders road policing unit, said: "Those who have ignored the signs are not only delaying themselves but also causing problems for other drivers.
"We have to implement a plan to redirect vehicles that have, for whatever reason, ignored the signs, and that takes a commitment from our resources."
SNP councillor and FETA board member Norman Work said: "The roads seizing up has a real impact on everyone in the town, and I am surprised that something wasn't sussed out before the toll booths were taken away.
"We need to look at a way of stopping the lorries before they even get to the bridge."
A spokesman for FETA said: "Strong wind restrictions are clearly displayed on signs on the approaches to the bridge.
"It is the individual driver's responsibility to take heed of these and divert via an alternative route."
The number of closures on the bridge caused by high winds hit a six-year high in 2006-07.
The 44-year-old bridge was shut to high-sided vehicles for nearly 11 days. In January, the crossing was completely closed for several hours after sections of an overhead painting platform broke off in strong winds.
Three weeks later a lorry was blown over just before the morning rush hour, closing three of the four lanes.
Then last month, the bridge was closed for much of the day when a lorry was overturned by a 68 mph gust of wind.
• New electronic signs are to be installed on the bridge.
Bridge bosses have ruled that the existing signs – which warn of local hazards, lane closures, high winds and speed limits – are no longer fit for purpose.
Work on the bridge is scheduled to get under way in June and be completed by October.
The full article contains 533 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
