Storm Bert: Queensferry Crossing ice closure a ‘safety first’ decision

Research has since revealed that keeping the cables clean will reduce the volume of ice that forms – although it won’t solve the problem completely.

In 2021 technicians abseiled down the bridge and used soap and water to clean the cables, and further cleaning has been carried out annually.

Bear Scotland, which maintains and operates the Queensferry Crossing, said it was an issue which affected a number of bridges with cables, though usually further north.

Bridges manager Dave Bishop explained: “Ours is a very short duration issue – and nowhere throughout the world has developed a solution to this issue.

“The conclusion we’ve come through it there’s no easy way to prevent ice sticking to the cables that isn’t more disruptive to road users than allowing it to happen and diverting the traffic to the Forth Road Bridge.”

He said Saturday’s closure was due to a highly unusual weather event.

“We haven’t had an event like that in over three years,” he said

“Although we think the cleaning would have helped in the incident in Saturday, we didn’t expect it to be fully effective, and that’s why as well as the cleaning of the cables, we’ve been planning for a diversion over the Forth Road Bridge.”