DRIVERS trying to skip the queues are to blame for congestion and long queues of traffic on the Queensferry Crossing.

Roads bosses told councillors that was one of the main reasons for tailbacks and they also said that abseiling cleaners would hopefully stop the bridge being closed in icy conditions.

Councillors were given a transport update, including what's likely to be major traffic delays at Kincardine and possible disruption to the World Cycling Championships when they come here, at the South and West Fife area committee yesterday (Wednesday).

Cllr Dave Dempsey asked about the queues that form on the Queensferry Crossing, "particularly northbound about 4 and 5 in the afternoon".

He added: "I still haven't worked out why it happens, do some people think because it's a bridge they can't drive across it at the speed limit? Queues still form."

Tommy Deans, from BEAR Scotland, the company responsible for trunk roads such as the A985 and the Forth bridges, replied: "I still think what happens is when queues build to a certain level, and it happens on both sides, some drivers take the slip roads and come back on again.

"As soon as they start doing that, and people have to merge in, it just causes more congestion.

"There are traffic signals at the end of the slip roads to try and slow traffic a little bit on the slip roads but it's never enough to dissuade people from doing that. There's no easy solution unfortunately."

The bridge has had to close due to ice building up on the cables, and the concern it could fall onto the traffic below, and work has been ongoing.

Mr Deans explained: "There has been cable-cleaning at the Queensferry Crossing.

"Earlier this year, there were people actually abseiling but they did work out an automated way of doing it, so that will be coming to an end shortly.

"The cables will be clean which we're hoping will reduce the potential for ice accretion.

"The current plan, should we get ice accretion, is still to divert to Kincardine Bridge and, depending on the timescales, trying to get the Forth Road Bridge open as a diversion."

He said the aim was to get two lanes open in each direction but at the FRB this can take four-to-five hours to put in place.

They're hoping to have automated barriers in operation next winter which could cut this process to as little as 15 minutes.

He also said a major project at Kincardine Bridge was due to begin in late January, early February and it would take 18-24 months to complete.

Mr Deans said: "We're going to build a new south viaduct – it's the part of the bridge that's still on land at the south side that's to be replaced.

"In order to do that work, there will be a temporary viaduct built alongside it so that, apart from night-time where we may have to close lanes, there will be two-way traffic."

He continued: "We've been talking to Transport Scotland and the police about the World Cycling Championships coming here in August next year.

"The plan is to cross from Edibnburgh over the Queensferry Crossing and use the A985 corridor on the morning of Sunday, August 6, and we're planning to minimise disruption.

"It is a big event for this area, and the whole country, so we'll hear more about that."