By Graeme Strachan

IGNORANT DRIVERS were last night blamed with causing rush-hour chaos on the approach to the Tay Road Bridge after it closed completely for the second time in three days.

A spokesman for bridge control in Dundee accused some commuters of ignoring signs on the approach to the bridge stating it was closed to all traffic due to high winds. Soon, traffic was nose-to-tail on the approach to the tolls where commuters were being turned away.

Police were called to re-direct motorists on the approach to the bridge as queues built up.

The bridge was closed from 5.25 pm as gusts of 85 mph swept the estuary.

It was 6.55 pm before any cars were allowed to cross.

A spokesman said, “We took the decision to close the bridge for safety reasons.

“Obviously, there was a lot of inconvenience for commuters, as it was during the normal tea-time rush.

“Matters could have been helped a little bit more if commuters had followed the signs. Unfortunately, even though signs were in place, they were totally ignored.

“This made matters worse, filling up the ramp. People were desperate to get across and decided to take a chance, but they were not getting anywhere.

“We opened the bridge to cars at 6.55 pm with a 30 mph restriction.”

The spokesman said they had been inundated with calls from commuters asking whether they would be able to make the crossing.

A spokeswoman for Tayside Police confirmed officers were called to the scene.

The Tay Road Bridge was closed completely last night for the second time in three days—it closed on Tuesday morning for over two hours amid winds of more than 90 mph.

Complete closures are extremely rare. Two closures in a week are unique.

Police in Dundee reported no major damage as a result of the high winds.

At Dundee Airport, a spokeswoman said the gusts were not having any effect on services.

The River Tay was also the subject of a flood warning from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) last night after heavy rain over the course of yesterday.

SEPA is urging those who live, work or travel in flood risk areas in the Tay catchment and surrounding areas to be prepared for the possibility of flooding.

SEPA hydrologists are monitoring weather forecasts and river levels around the clock and will issue further advice through Floodline.

Anyone concerned should call the service on 0845 988 1188 or log on to www.sepa.org.uk/flooding where live updates are published.