Union reminds farmers that agri-vehicles are prevented from using Queensferry Crossing

Current roadworks on the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) means that drivers of wider vehicles are advised to give two weeks prior notice of movement for the foreseeable future.  

Notifications should be made by contacting the Bridge Control room at 0131 319 3083 or 0131 319 3084.

Drivers of agricultural vehicles are also reminded that the new Queensferry Crossing holds special road status which prevents agricultural vehicles using it.

NFU Scotland’s Jamie Smart, who operates the Union’s vehicle and transportation helpline, said: “With the Queensferry crossing closed to agricultural vehicles, NFU Scotland was involved in negotiations to allow agricultural vehicles to continue to use the Forth Road Bridge (FRB) to get from one side of the Forth to the other without the need for a long detour.

“The agreement reached was that vehicles up to three metres wide could use the FRB without notification (except during high winds) while vehicles over three metres wide had to give at least 24 hours’ notice.

“Currently road works on the FRB mean that there is a contraflow in place to allow works on the deck of the bridge. This contraflow prevents wider vehicles using the bridge without a closure of both live lanes.  Given that the FRB is a dedicated public transport route this has resulted in long delays to buses using this route.

“The bridge authorities have indicated that drivers of wider vehicles are advised to give two weeks’ notice of any intended movements until the end of these works, probably sometime in April 2020.

“The plan will be to co-ordinate movements of wider vehicles which will have to take place at off peak times to minimise delays to this important public transport route.”
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