TRANSPORT bosses are considering fast-tracking a speed limit increase to deal with congestion on the Queensferry Crossing.

West Fife commuters have experienced lengthy delays and tailbacks since the £1.35 billion bridge across the Forth fully opened to traffic overnight last Thursday after a series of events marking its opening.

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf faced questions at Holyrood on the traffic jams and said raising the speed limit on the crossing is an option.

The 40mph speed limit was expected to be in place for up to six weeks while work takes place to change the Forth Road Bridge into a public transport corridor.

The Queensferry Crossing would then increase to a 70mph speed limit.

He said: “Consideration is also being given to raising the speed limit from 40mph to 50mph as soon as the central reserve barrier installation has been completed and it is safe to do so.

“We are confident that with the variable messaging signs that we have put in place, as well as the other measures we have taken, that we are are seeing an improving picture. 

“Reports from the Monday AM peak, Monday PM peak and the Tuesday PM peak of this week have shown fewer delays and much reduced delay time as well.”

A call to temporarily reopen the Forth Road Bridge to ease congestion on the new bridge was suggested by Edinburgh West MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton earlier this week.

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.”

Mr Yousaf said there were “difficulties” with reopening the old road bridge to motorists.

He said: “The first days of operation of the Queensferry Crossing have resulted in increased congestion including outside of peak hours, most noticeably last Sunday.

"While this is typical of initial traffic patterns seen on newly-opened major bridges, the following steps are being taken to reduce this congestion.”