Weather « Mysteries of the Tay Rail Bridge

Lorry drivers cause bridge mayhem

Lorry drivers are being told they are causing havoc by trying to cross the Tay Road bridge when the high wind warning signs are on.

Bridge staff are no longer stopping motorists at the tollbooths because the crossing fees have been scrapped.

If high-sided vehicles try to pass then all the bridge traffic has to be stopped while they are turned around.

The forecast is for high winds this weekend and drivers are being urged to take note of any warning signs.

‘Don’t approach’

Deputy bridge manager, John Shiels, said: “We’ve got the problem of either trying to turn them or stopping them at the bottom of the ramps, which is in traffic in the main arterial road.

“That’s not to be encouraged, it’s quite dangerous for our staff, the travelling public, to the lorry drivers who’re trying to manoeuvre.

“If you’re in any doubt about the winds, don’t approach the bridge.

“Particularly this past month has been very susceptible to gusts coming down the river.

“One minute it can be 40 mile an hour, the next minute it’s 70 mile an hour and you get what happened on the Forth Bridge the other week when a lorry got blown over.”