FRB delays 02/12/15
FRB delays 02/12/15
Author
Discussion

Smokehead

Original Poster:

7,703 posts

244 months

Tuesday 1st December 2015
quotequote all
FRB inspection delays

An emergency inspection of the FRB tomorrow morning

Clivew

348 posts

191 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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Absolute chaos.

Don't trust TomTom Live Traffic. Travelling round the Edinburgh City Bypass this afternoon and knowing about the contraflow on the Forth Road Bridge, it showed delays of 20 minutes using that route. I decided to give it a go, after all 20 mins in traffic is less than the time it would take to drive round by Stirling. Two hours later, I finally reached the bridge having hit the queue just after the last turn off before the bridge. Next time I will trust my instincts and not technology!

MDT

597 posts

188 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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And to add some fun to the mix

https://www.forthroadbridge.org/news/very-strong-w...

now looks as if it could be closed to all traffic due to the winds. I am taking this as read that the same wind issue will prevent any 'fix' happening too. Joy.

Smokehead

Original Poster:

7,703 posts

244 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
When I drove across the bridge this morning going south, I must admit to a raised eyebrow at the sight of sparks from an angle grinder coming up through the grill in the middle of the bridge. Three hours to get home last night, usually takes 45 minutes.

Smokehead

Original Poster:

7,703 posts

244 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Now has a 7.5 tonne weight limit eek

Scuba_steve

579 posts

196 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
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7.5 tonne weight limit? Tell that to the numerous truck drivers blatantly ignoring the Amey highways guys directing them to stop northbound this evening.

  • Penman Plant Hire of Kirkcaldy giant Scania R500 i'm looking at you - your tractor unit weighs 10.5 tons TARE, god knows what the flat bed on the back weighs... https://www.flickr.com/photos/dramofwhisky/1189234... ...this but empty. The reg may or may not match. Your driver is a selfish tt and shouldn't be in control of a vehicle this size if he can't read the signs*
'Nah, nah, fk going to Kincardine i'm going to Kirkcaldy'

Every matrix board displayed: 'FRB HGV's restricted to 7.5t use alt route' even AFTER you cross the bridge. Not a chance HGV drivers didn't know. There are multiple opportunities to divert including at Bridge Control where you can about turn under the bridge.


ABZ RS6

749 posts

119 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
Total closure from midnight for at least 24 hrs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35001277


MethylatedSpirit

1,956 posts

152 months

Thursday 3rd December 2015
quotequote all
ABZ RS6 said:
Total closure from midnight for at least 24 hrs.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-35001277
I don't see it re-opening within 24 hours. Winds are strong from 2pm tomorrow right through the weekend. That's going to hamper repairs.

Lugy

830 posts

199 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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It gets worse! Going to be shut until the new year according to the radio/twitter!

MDT

597 posts

188 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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ALBA MELV

396 posts

172 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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How long before the SNP blame the Conservatives??

S2red

2,540 posts

207 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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OH joys that will cause havoc!

Smokehead

Original Poster:

7,703 posts

244 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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Skimping on routine maintenance?

Ug_lee

2,224 posts

227 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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When spars are cracking there isn't much routine maintenance can do to stop that. It sounds like fatigue caused by the bridge taking a hammering carrying way more traffic and heavy vehicles than it was designed for.

I feel sorry for folk who rely on the bridge for everyday life, it must be causing chaos.

nightcruiser

156 posts

214 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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ALBA MELV said:
How long before the SNP blame the Conservatives??
rofl Not long at all probably..

Kinkell

537 posts

203 months

Friday 4th December 2015
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Pictures on the BBC website of the fracture on a truss. Looks like an old wound to my amateur eye. Having walked the bridge recently I was amazed to see the platforms bouncing up and down with the traffic.
I'm old enough to remember it being built, but 50 years on, the replacement is 20 years overdue. The chaos and cost in the next few weeks is down to political failures at the highest level.