A snapped bolt forces trucks off Forth Bridge
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• Hundreds of heavy trucks were turned away from the Forth Road Bridge before Christmas after a steel bolt helping to secure the suspension cables to the bridge deck snapped.
Last month's incident, which caused long tailbacks, meant lorries over 10 tonnes were diverted to Kincardine bridge and Stirling while the bolt was replaced. Normal traffic resumed the next day.
Wylie Cunningham, Scottish director of the Road Haulage Association, says hauliers have no cause for long-term alarm. "The bridge is always busy and the re-routeing was a thumping inconvenience, but the bridge is not falling down," he says. "There are 700 other steel bolts there."
Cunningham says lorries were turned away to help repair workers replacing the bolt.
A safety audit of the bridge has been called for by Fife Council road and transportation spokesperson Helen Eadie. Although reassured by bridge safety inspectors she wants a "second opinion".
Eadie says the incident highlights the need for a second Forth bridge.