By Aileen Robertson

WEDNESDAY’S TRAFFIC gridlock was a warning of what could happen if work on the new Forth crossing does not get under way soon, said the Fife Federation of Small Businesses.

David Chalmers, Fife FSB chairman, said some local companies would have lost thousands of pounds worth of business as a result of the Forth Road Bridge being closed all day.

A painting platform on the south tower was damaged in winds of 80 to 90mph and the bridge was closed from 9.30am until 6pm after debris was seen falling on to the footpath beside the carriageway.

It led to huge tailbacks on the surrounding roads.

Bridge operators Forth Estuary Transport Authority have launched an inquiry to find out how structural damage was caused to a painting rig that was designed to withstand gales of up to 125mph.

Mr Chalmers said the amount of disruption caused by the bridge being closed for one day was a drop in the ocean compared to what would happen if the bridge had to be shut down before the new cable-stayed bridge, given the go-ahead by Scottish ministers last month, is completed, which would be in 2016 at the earliest.

The existing road bridge’s well documented corrosion problems mean that it could face closure to heavy lorries in 2013 and complete closure in 2019, if measures to dry out the insides of the cables prove unsuccessful and the cables cannot be replaced.

“Anything that happens to the bridge causes massive disruption and Wednesday was certainly an excellent example of that,” said Mr Chalmers.

“If this was a sign of what would happen if the bridge was closed ahead of time because of corrosion or whatever. If that happens we’re in for some very serious times in business.

“It was a fairly severe warning that we should get the new crossing started as soon as possible. The new bridge is obviously eight, nine or 10 years ahead and we could suffer many closures between now and then. I wish the whole thing had been started years ago.

“In fact, it did start in the early 90s, when there was a Conservative government, because even in those days it was recognised that there might be a requirement for another crossing.

“But it was put on the back burner and it was not until later on that people realised we would need a new crossing.”

While the severe weather was out of FETA’s control, Mr Chalmers said more should have been done to prevent structural damage on the bridge.

“What concerns me most is that a health and safety issue arose, which could have been avoided. I would have thought, in view of the weather forecast, something more would have been done to remove any elements of risk,” he said.

A spokesman for FETA denied that the decision to close the bridge completely had been an over-reaction.

He said, “Prior to Wednesday’s storms the platform had been decommissioned and made secure. A full inspection took place at 4pm on Tuesday in light of the weather warning and the platform was secure at that time.

“However, Wednesday’s extreme winds broke apart the floor panels of the access platform and blew a section beyond the dropped object canopy on to the pedestrian walkway.

“Fortunately the pedestrian walkway was closed at the time, but it could have hit the carriageway. As soon as this was observed the decision was taken to immediately close the bridge.”

The FETA spokesman explained the floor panels on the platform, which weigh 35kg, had to be removable in order to move the rig up and down the tower.

He added, “The platform is only in service at wind speeds below 30 mph. At wind speeds in excess of 30 mph it is decommissioned and secured, and should withstand wind speeds of up to 125 mph.

“What we are now investigating is why panels became detached when the platform was decommissioned and secured. It appears to be a design issue and this is likely to be the focus of the investigation.”

FETA convener Tony Martin, who is also a Dunfermline councillor, said measures would be taken to prevent a repeat of Wednesday’s events.

He said, “Credit is due to the maintenance workers who made the platform safe so quickly, working in wind and rain 100 metres above the Firth of Forth.

“This closure will have caused a huge amount of disruption to the people who rely on the bridge and I sympathise with the frustration they must feel.

“This has clearly been an exceptional event—these platforms were designed to withstand wind speeds of up to 125 miles per hour, and had successfully withstood stronger winds than today on Hogmanay last year.

“FETA has already instigated a full investigation into exactly how the damage occurred and what improvements can be made to prevent this happening again. The designer of the platform is already on site and we’ll be revising our designs and procedures in light of the investigation’s findings.”