A BUS operator in Fife is ignoring the Forth Road Bridge and adding to congestion on the Queensferry Crossing.

Citylink have been snubbing the public transport corridor created specifically to ease the traffic flow on the new bridge.

A spokeswoman for Scottish Citylink confirmed that services were running across the £1.35 billion Queensferry Crossing at off-peak times.

They said: "The majority of our services are scheduled to use the Forth Road Bridge, particularly during peak times.

"However, there are times, during off-peak periods, when it can be quicker for a particular service to use the Queensferry Crossing so that route will be taken in those cases."

It had been suggested by a passenger on one of Citylink's services recently that bus drivers at Halbeath told them they had been instructed by Transport Scotland to not use the Forth Road Bridge.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government transport agency, said: “The public transport corridor over the Forth has been successful in giving passengers quicker, more reliable journeys, particularly at peak times. We are not aware of any advice being provided by ourselves to bus operators asking them to avoid the FRB, except during severe high winds when the PTC cannot be used or when restrictions are applied.

"To our knowledge, Citylink continue to use the bridge successfully.

“Monitoring has shown the corridor is delivering significant journey time savings for bus users of around 40 per cent compared to car journeys. This will hopefully encourage more people to use public transport where possible."