AN INVERKEITHING road was closed for over seven hours last night after a lorry full of potatoes jack-knifed.

Motorists were warned to take an alternative route after the incident which happened at around 4pm.

Trains were also subjected to delay as the line was initially closed so the bridge could be inspected.

A multi-agency operation involving police, fire services, Fife Council, Network Rail and a recovery company took around seven hours to remove the vehicle so the road could be re-opened just after 11pm.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We were made aware of a jack-knifed lorry on Hope Street near the junction with Glebe Park in Inverkeithing around 4pm on Wednesday, 15 December.

"Nobody has been injured and the road was closed while recovery of the vehicle was arranged and re-opened around 11.05pm.” 

Road Police Scotland had posted on social media that Fife officers were currently dealing with the incident at the railway bridge on Hope Street involving an HGV full of potatoes.

"The road will remain closed until the vehicle is recovered and we complete out enquiries. Thankfully no injuries #SmashedNotMashed," it added.

A post on South West Fife Police's Twitter page thanked all the agencies involved in the recovery.

It added: "Lorry removed, damaged lamppost cut down, rubble being moved, road gritted and now fully open again. Thanks to everyone who attended."

Scotrail had warned that rail services had been being affected after reports a vehicle had struck a bridge between North Queensferry and Inverkeithing.

However a tweet from Network Rail said their engineers had been to the scene and confirmed the bridge had not been struck and the line would re-open shortly after 5pm.

A Network Rail spokesperson confirmed: “The bridge was closed as a precaution while a specialist bridge inspector checked the structure for any damage.

"We reopened the line as quickly as possible for our customers and apologise for the delays caused.”