THE speed limit on the Queensferry Crossing will be raised to 50mph on Monday, Transport Scotland have confirmed.

Speed restrictions on the bridge will be raised ahead of Monday morning's peak as part of the ongoing, phased introduction of the managed crossing strategy across the Forth.

Currently, the speed limit is 40mph and has been in place for driver and worker safety during construction of the crossing and tie-ins with the road network and Forth Road Bridge.

Works are now entering their final phases and transport chiefs have confirmed that the limit on the M90 across the Forth can be safely raised to 50mph between Scotstoun in the south and Admiralty in the north.

Stein Connelly, Traffic Scotland operator manager, said: "The new 50mph speed limit on the Queensferry Crossing will be in place for the Monday morning peak and drivers will be advised by our signs on the approach roads.

"As always, we would urge road users to be aware of the change and take care as they get used to the new limit.

"Traffic Scotland will have all of the latest real-time travel information on our mobile site , twitter feed and radio."

The raising of the speed limit follows the first stage of re-opening the Forth Road Bridge for public transport use last month.

Scheduled public buses began using the older bridge on October 13 and the necessary works to allow other buses, taxis and motorcycles to join them are nearing completion.

Full motorway and public transport corridor regulations are expected to come into force later in the year and, once the Queensferry Crossing is a fully operational motorway, the speed limit will be 70mph.

Transport Scotland added that they, Traffic Scotland, Amey and Forth Bridges Operating Company will "continue to monitor the performance of the new bridge, surrounding roads and adjoining junctions", adding that "although  the unusual opening tourist traffic has now subsided, with volumes and journey times returning to more usual levels, the new arrangements are still bedding in and are being kept under review."