Queensferry Crossing now open to all traffic ... due to high winds forecast for Forth Road Bridge

The old bridge was being used for southbound traffic as contractors said essential work needed to be carried out to the surfacing round the new crossing's expansion joints. 

But with strong winds forecast for the coming days, which would require peak time restrictions on the Forth Road Bridge, Transport Scotland said the work will now be completed off-peak with night-time only lane closures for "the remainder of this week". 

Transport Minister Humza Yousaf said: “I would like to thank the traveling public for their patience while this work has been underway.

“With the weather set to deteriorate over the coming days and with significant progress having been made on the snagging work we have decided to reprofile the work on the Queensferry Crossing, opening it to all traffic, to ensure that traffic continues to move across the Forth despite the weather. 

“An increased risk of high winds at peak times could result in the need to restrict the traffic using the Forth Road Bridge.

"Given how important this time of year is to both businesses and the community, we have decided to reopen the Queensferry Crossing in both directions ... in order to avoid peak time disruption.

“The snagging work remains on programme and we are on course to increase the speed limit on the bridge to 70mph by the end of the month and the remaining finishing work on the joints will be completed this week with only late night, off peak lane closures.

“While we do not anticipate delays outside of the normal peak traffic, as ever I would advise people to plan ahead and take account of traffic information before setting off.”

Transport Scotland announced last week that snagging works needed to be carried out on the £1.35 billion bridge, which was officially opened on August 30. 

The work started on Thursday night and was originally due to be completed by 6am tomorrow.