The closure of the Forth Road Bridge will hit commuters, residents and businesses on both sides of the crossing.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader and Fife MSP Willie Rennie called on Transport Scotland to publish its contingency plan and its bridge inspection regime following the closure.
He said: “People living in Edinburgh and Fife now face the prospect of weeks of disruption. This is the last thing that we needed to see in the run in to Christmas. Safety must come first, but this extended closure will cause huge inconvenience and impact on families and businesses alike.
“We must assume that Transport Scotland had a detailed plan for when the bridge would close for extended periods of time. This would cover issues like additional train carriages, diversion routes, communication with the public and so on.
“Considering the length of this closure I think it is only right that users of the bridge are able to examine the plan. That’s why I am calling for it to be published today.
“We also need to know how we have ended up in a situation where we have been forced to close the bridge for weeks on end while extensive repairs are carried out.
“I do not doubt the commitment and skill of the engineers working on the bridge but if things were missed, we need to know about it. This starts with the publication of the inspection regime.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader and Cowdenbeath MSP Alex Rowley said: “Given the clear public safety concerns this is the right decision.
“The Forth Road Bridge is one of the most important transport links in Scotland, it is crucial for the east of Scotland economy.
“What is vital now is that the Scottish Government, the local councils, ScotRail and all transport operators work together to try and minimise disruption as much as possible by putting in place whatever measures can be achieved at this point.
“We also need to ensure good communication so people know where and when to access services.
“This is a key economic link which is being severed at one of the most vital times of the year for Scottish business. We need to ensure that where any business is having difficulties, there is on hand information, advice and support.
“The SNP Government should outline what support measures will be in place for business and jobs over the coming month in a statement to parliament as early as possible next week.”
Scottish Conservative transport spokesman Alex Johnstone said: “The Forth Road Bridge is one of Scotland’s key routes and it is a scandal that it will now beclosed until the new year.
“Although the repairs are necessary for the safety of the public, the fact that the decision has been taken to close it for so long shows a complete lack of forward-thinking by Derek Mackay and the SNP Government.
“The closure will have a devastating impact on Scotland’s economy, not to mention the many commuters who rely on the crossing for their livelihoods. It will no doubt cause traffic chaos this winter.
“The SNP should be doing all they can now to lessen the impact and contingency plans should now be put into action. The inspection regime also needs to be examined in an attempt to pre-empt other failures. “Employers should be encouraged to allow staff to work from home. Advice should also be issued on staggering journeys to avoid congestion on other routes, including the Kincardine Bridge.”
The Federation of Small Businesses said firms will be “alarmed” at the news and it called on the Scottish Government to mitigate the impact on local communities.
Scottish policy convener Andy Willox said: “Not only will this closure impact those that use the bridge to bring their goods or services to market, employers of all description will face serious disruption.
“Businesses will look forward to clear advice regards alternative routes. Further, communities and firms facing the worst disruption will look to local and national government to mitigate the impact of the measure.
“While matters of safety should override other concerns, every effort should be made to minimise the impact on the economy.”
Rail union RMT said the road closure had “exposed a severe shortage of capacity” on ScotRail services.
General secretary Mick Cash said: “The sudden and enforced closure of the Forth Bridge has seriously exposed the chronic lack of spare rolling stock and capacity on ScotRail with the company now advising people not to use their services and to stay at home.
“It is a ludicrous state of affairs when the main rail service is tipped into complete meltdown because of passengers seeking an alternative way of completing their journey.
“This situation calls for an immediate review of the capacity and fleet stock on ScotRail so that passengers are not confronted with this kind of chaotic situation in the future.”