LAST week's travel disruption would have been avoided if the new Forth crossing had opened in December, according to conservative MSP Murdo Fraser.

The Mid Scotland and Fife representative challenged Nicola Sturgeon during First Minister's Questions last Thursday, saying the SNP had promised the Queensferry Crossing would be opened by now.

However, Ms Sturgeon said the contractual completion date had always been June, and that Wednesday's traffic chaos was down to the HGV driver's decision to cross the bridge while it was closed to high-sided vehicles.

Mr Fraser told the chamber: "The Forth Road Bridge was closed for most of the day, which caused massive disruption to the lives and businesses of thousands of my constituents in Fife and further afield.

"I am sure that the first minister would want to join me in commending all those who worked so hard in very difficult conditions to get the bridge reopened as quickly as possible.

"However, it will not have escaped my constituents’ notice that if the new Queensferry Crossing – with its wind shielding – had been opened last December as the first minister had promised, they might well have been spared the disruption.

"Will the first minister tell my constituents when the new Queensferry Crossing will be open?"

Ms Sturgeon replied: "If the driver had not ignored the warning not to take that heavy goods vehicle on to the bridge, the bridge would not have been closed yesterday.

"The contractual completion date for the Queensferry crossing is, of course, June this year. We are on track to ensure that it will be open on time. In addition, it is being delivered under budget.

"I thank all those who are working hard on the new bridge, just as I thank all those who worked really hard yesterday in the very difficult weather conditions that we see at this time of year to get the bridge repaired.

"It was a complex repair. They got it done and the bridge was reopened at 9pm last night. All of us should say a heartfelt thank you to them for that."