Transport secretary: 'several factors' leading to Queensferry Crossing closure

Scotland's transport secretary has been defending the closure of the Queensferry Crossing.

The bridge has been closed to all traffic since around 6pm yesterday, because of snow and ice falling on to the carriageway.

Eight cars are said to have sustained damage.

It is the first time a full closure of the £1.3 billion bridge has been put in place due to weather conditions since it opened in August 2017.

Michael Matheson addressed the closure in an interview with Kingdom FM News today:

The bridge is set to remain closed for the rest of the day, but Mr Matheson says this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.

Drivers are facing a lengthy diversion via the Kincardine Bridge, with some journey times of more than an hour during the morning rush hour.

The Forth Road Bridge remains open to public transport, but bosses say they cannot currently open it to all traffic due to maintenance work taking place.

ScotRail says it has been putting on extra services:

📢ℹ️ To help customers affected by the closure of the #Queensferry Crossing, we will be running extra services this morning. We also have a number of buses on standby.

Services are still expected to be very busy. Please check before you travel. pic.twitter.com/HnWbSV2pgG

— ScotRail (@ScotRail) February 11, 2020