AN MSP has called for the Forth Road Bridge to reopen to ease traffic congestion on the Queensferry Crossing.

The £1.35 billion bridge first opened on August 30 and eager drivers faced lengthy delays.

After closing for six days for celebrations - including its official opening by the Queen - four-mile tailbacks northbound formed during the evening rush hour when it reopened on September 7.

Edinburgh West MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton has now put pressure on traffic bosses by urging them to open the old bridge until the Queensferry Crossing has overcame its "tourist boom".

He stated that it was clear traffic numbers would rise due to visitors to the iconic structure but also claimed commuters from Fife were missing half a day of work due to the delays.

He said: "My constituents should not have to endure another weekend such as the one that we have just had with many waiting hours in traffic and some even losing income."

A temporary 40mph speed limit is currently in place until the bridge becomes a motorway in late October or early November.

The Forth Road Bridge will then become a public transport corridor.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: "This is the first full week of operations on the Queensferry Crossing and road users are continuing to familiarise themselves with the new layout, and the Crossing itself, which is in turn slowing traffic and causing queuing.

"Whilst there have been queues on the southbound carriageway of the M90 for the last two mornings, these were within the parameters of the normal morning peak. Traffic onto the crossing itself has been free flowing.

"As predicted, traffic on the Crossing at the weekend was unusually high due to drivers coming to look and travel over the new bridge.

"Network conditions around the Crossing continue to be monitored by Traffic Scotland from the National Control Centre at Queensferry.

"We appreciate road users’ patience as the new layout and crossing continues to bed in."