The Scottish Government must “come clean” over when the Forth Road Bridge will fully re-open to relieve the “horrendous” waiting game for businesses, an MSP has said.
HGVs are still not allowed to use the Fife to Edinburgh crossing because of ongoing repairs to a crack found in a key section of the bridge in early December.
While cars have been able to use the bridge since December 23, Transport Minister Derek Mackay has only offered a timescale of mid-February for access to return for lorries.
Fife MSP Murdo Fraser said: “Time is ticking on, and the Scottish Government have gone quiet on this issue.
“Businesses both north and south of the bridge need to know what is going on.
“Firms who rely on the bridge to transport goods are having a horrendous time. They are suffering financially for every day the bridge is closed to larger vehicles.
“We don’t want this crisis to damage our economy and the first minister must tell us when this ban will be lifted before businesses start to go under.”
Lorries are having to use the Kincardine bridge instead, which is hitting the pockets of haulage firms hard through wasted time and extra fuel costs.
A Transport Scotland spokesman said mid-February was “quite specific” given the highly technical nature of the repairs.
Mr Mackay said: “We appreciate this has been a testing time for the haulage industry. Our five point plan was launched before Christmas to try and help ease the burden. The diversion route continues to work well given the unique circumstances, with key roads clear of non-essential road works.”
The closure of the bridge caused pandemonium by cutting off traffic between east Scotland and the capital.
An inquiry started this week into the circumstances that led to the closure.