Van and lorry drivers have been warned they will be reported to the police if they try to cross the Tay Road Bridge during high winds forecast for this weekend.

Drivers of high-sided vehicles have been ignoring warning signs and crossing the bridge during high winds.

Since toll charges were removed last month, drivers no longer need to stop, and so cannot be physically prevented from crossing the bridge.

Chairman of the Tay Bridge Joint Board John Letford said, “During recent high winds, the drivers of some of these vehicles have been ignoring warning signs that the bridge is closed to them.”

He added, “Bridge staff will report the drivers of any vehicles not allowed to cross the bridge during high winds to Tayside Police and Fife Police—the safety of all bridge users is paramount.

“The warning signs are there for a very good reason, and I sincerely hope that the drivers who have been ignoring them will take heed.”

Weather forecasters are warning strong winds will batter Tayside and Fife over the weekend, with the possibility of severe gales on Monday.

A band of exceptionally low pressure is forecast to bring heavy rain and severe gales across the country, Meteogroup UK, the weather division of the Press Association, said.

Meteogroup senior meteorologist Stephen Davenport said, “This could well be the strongest storm of the winter.”

The unsettled weather is expected to climax on Monday morning when the deepening low pressure system swings east across the UK.

Mr Davenport said pressure in the centre of the depression could fall as low as 930mb west of Ireland.

The lowest pressure yet recorded over the UK was 925.6mb in 1884 at Ochtertyre, near Stirling.

However, the storm forecast for Monday is unlikely to be quite that deep when it crosses the country.

Mr Davenport continued, “This is exceptional weather. The forecast low pressure should give an idea of the ferocity of it.

“The winds we’re looking at are enough to cause damage to property and trees.”

Winds gusting up to 70mph are forecast from early on Monday as a band of rain crosses the UK.

Exposed areas in the west and near the south coast have been warned to expect winds up to 80mph.