Bridge closure and accident cause traffic chaos in Falkirk area

The Forth Road Bridge has been closed to all traffic since midnight and problems have been exacerbated by an accident on the M9 this morning.

The crash was on the westbound carriageway between junction 7 (Kinnaird) and junction 6 (Earlsgate) but restricted traffic in both directions. It has now been cleared but delays are still being experienced.

In addition, commuters heading north to Kincardine and Clackmannanshire Bridges because of the closure of the Forth Road Bridge has led to slow traffic from Polmont on the M9 and before the Larbert junction on the M876.

The bridge is expected to be closed to all traffic throughout today after a major structural fault was discovered.

The move comes after restrictions were put in place earlier this week as engineers investigated the fault.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: “The Forth Road Bridge is to shut following the discovery of defective steelwork earlier this week. The decision has been taken as a precautionary step after inspections carried out earlier this week showed a fault in the bridge steelwork.

“A full update will be provided on Friday.”