COMMUTERS using the Kincardine Bridge face disruption when maintenance work begins next Tuesday.

Contractor Amey have confirmed that "essential maintenance to improve the road surface and bridge deck waterproofing" will start from 9pm-5.30am on Tuesday February 14, Wednesday February 15 and Thursday February 16 to carry out site preparation works.

Following this, full-time traffic management will be deployed on Friday February 17 and will be in place continuously until Friday March 31.

The work, with a value of around £350,000, includes the replacement of the road surface, bridge deck waterproofing and new expansion joints to the viaduct span section of the bridge.

Amey say that undertaking this work now will "ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of this important section of the A985", and "reduce the need for more extensive maintenance in the future".

On Friday February 17 there will be a full closure for surfacing removal, before moving to single lane closures from 5:30am on Saturday February 18. Work will commence in the westbound direction and is planned to switch to the eastbound on Tuesday March 7.

Vehicle activated traffic lights on the A876 North Approach Road (Kincardine) will be switched off during the work, to prevent traffic – including buses – from turning right and travelling towards the Kincardine Bridge.

Instead, all traffic will be sent a short distance to the Longannet (Tolls) Roundabout and back again.

Under the night time full bridge closures, signed diversion routes will be in operation with eastbound traffic being diverted from the Longannet Roundabout to the A977 Toll Road through Kincardine and Kilbagie.

At Kilbagie roundabout, road users will be diverted to the first exit along the A876 Clackmannanshire Bridge southbound. The diversion will end at Higgins Neuk roundabout.

The westbound diversion will follow the same route in the opposite direction.

Throughout the duration of the works, the pedestrian footways and cycle paths will remain open, although cyclists will be instructed to dismount when using the cycle path across the bridge.

This scheme has been planned in consultation with Transport Scotland, Traffic Scotland, Kincardine Community Council, bus operating companies, the emergency services, Marine Scotland, Forth Ports, Scottish National Heritage, the Road Hauliers Association, Freight Transport Association and Fife Council.