Changes to the travel plan put in place after the Forth Road Bridge’s closure will see the dedicated bus/HGV lane opened to light goods vehicles around the clock from Monday.
The A985 corridor had been only available to buses and HGVs between 5am and 8pm but that will be extended to light goods vehicles from Monday, while all vehicles will be able to use the route at weekends.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay has also confirmed that restrictions to the A985 priority route will be lifted completely on December 23 to coincide with the start of the holiday period.
Mr Mackay said: “Since the closure of the bridge and the publication of our travel plan to mitigate its impact, we have been monitoring performance and listening to our stakeholders, including communities and business organisations.
“The travel plan has seen a 40% increase in rail services and thousands of extra seats, and our bus partner Stagecoach is running more services, including enhanced connections from Fife and Edinburgh and links to Edinburgh trams at Ingliston, to encourage public transport use and relieve pressure on roads around the bridge.
“Clearly the closure of the bridge has had a significant impact, particularly on small and medium sized businesses, and we and our transport partners have been listening to business community views since the travel plan was implemented.
“To address their feedback, from this Monday all commercial light goods vehicles will be allowed 24-hour-a-day access to the A985 priority route.
“We have also responded to community needs, and so can confirm that all vehicles will have access to the priority route at weekends and outside peak periods on weekdays. We also intend to lift restrictions on the priority route completely on the 23rd of this month to coincide with the start of the holiday period.
“I believe this will provide assurances to those businesses and communities affected by the bridge closure that we are doing everything possible to ensure access to the local and national economy, allowing them as far as possible to go about their day-to-day business.”
Eric Byers, Fife Chamber of Commerce chief executive, welcomed the change, saying: “The need for keeping a close eye on how the travel plan was working was raised at the discussion with the Deputy First Minister earlier this week as was the suggestion to open the priority route to LGVs. We welcome the change announced today which we believe it will be of assistance to businesses in Fife and beyond.”
Drivers are being urged to stay up to date with transport arrangements by visiting www.transportscotland.gov.uk/forth-road-bridge-closure.