Murdo Fraser MSP has hit out after being told that the use of the Forth Road Bridge as a diversion in the event of the Queensferry Crossing closing again will only happen outwith peak times.
The Scottish Conservative politician, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region, was reacting to the announcement made by BEAR Scotland that any emergency diversion over the Forth Road Bridge will only be put in place overnight.
With previous roadworks now lifted on the older bridge, a further trial of how a Queensferry Crossing closure-enforced diversion might work is due to take place later this month.
Commenting, Mr Fraser said: "This revelation is utterly shocking and will infuriate all those who had understood that it would be available at fairly short notice.
“Surely the whole point in using the Forth Road Bridge as a diversion was to alleviate congestion and chaos for motorists if the Queensferry Crossing has to close again?
“But now we are told that this can only happen outwith peak times, presumably with preparations for using the Forth Road Bridge as a diversion taking place the night before if bridge operators get notification that severe weather is on its way.
“It is a very strange way of trying to solve the problem of the Queensferry Crossing closing and is not a reactive measure."
He continued: “I realise that there is a lot of work involved in co-ordinating the alternative of using the Forth Road Bridge but this is yet another case of the Scottish Government not telling the public the whole truth.”
Bridge operators have been forced to close the Queensferry Crossing due to concerns about ice falling from its cables.