DRIVERS have been warned to avoid the Forth Road Bridge area when the A90 and M90 (M9 Spur) will be closed to all traffic south of Echline Junction to allow for the demolition of the B800 bridge located between South Queensferry and Kirkliston.

The work will allow the next phase of roadworks for the Forth Replacement Crossing in the Scotstoun area to progress.

From 8pm on Saturday October 24, 8pm Saturday October 31 and 8pm on Saturday November 14 the A90 and M90 (M9 Spur) will be closed in both directions through to a latest re-opening time of 6am the following Monday morning.

Diversion routes for A90 traffic will be via the M9 (A904/5 for non-motorway traffic), Kincardine Bridge and the A985. Local access between South Queensferry, Kirkliston and Dalmeny will remain available.

The closure will be in place between Echline Junction south of the Forth Road Bridge and north of Barnton on the A90. In addition, the M90 (M9 Spur) will also be closed in both directions.

Fed-up motorists suffered rush-hour delays last week when fog and a breakdown caused traffic to back up.

And some will no doubt see the irony of 40mph speed cameras placed on the structure recently.

Considerable delays are expected and road users are advised to avoid the area. Those travelling to and from Edinburgh Airport should take the closure into consideration when planning their journey.

Commuters are encouraged to plan their journey and make use of the live traffic updates available from Traffic Scotland.

Steven Brown, Transport Scotland, Roads and Infrastructure Manager said: “The team intends to demolish the old B800 bridge over three weekends, avoiding Remembrance Sunday. We will work closely with our contractor to ensure every effort is made to reduce the duration of the closure and to lift the restrictions as early as is possible.

“During the closure the Forth Road Bridge will remain open for local access only. All road users are advised that considerable delays are expected in the vicinity of the Forth during these closures and they should use the alternative diversion routes via Kincardine or from further afield, by diverting at Perth and using the A9/ M9 to travel south of the Forth.

“In order to minimise the overall future disruption to road users, the closure of the A90 and M90 south of the bridge is being utilised by the Forth Bridges Operating Company (Amey) to undertake some of the regular maintenance work required on the Forth Road Bridge. As a result a single lane contraflow will be in place on the Forth Road Bridge for the duration of the A90 closure.

“Our team have liaised closely with City of Edinburgh Council and Transport Scotland’s Operating Companies to co-ordinate maintenance on the adjacent road network again with the aim of minimising the overall disruption to road users in the area.”