Taking care of business during bridge closure

The city council is taking steps to ensure business disruption is kept to a minimum during the closure of the Forth Road Bridge.

Measures to minimise travel disruption – including the cancellation of all major roadworks in the city – have been introduced and officers continue to monitor traffic across Edinburgh.

The public are being encouraged to make use of Park and Ride sites on both sides of the bridge to reduce congestion. Since Thursday, Edinburgh Trams has partnered with Stagecoach buses to offer bus passengers connections between Ingliston and the city centre or airport.

The Council is also reaching out to the business community to offer its support to those impacted by the closure. Council Chief Executive Andrew Kerr has written to businesses to update on moves to reduce disruption and efforts being made to ensure customers know that there are a number of alternative ways of travelling to Edinburgh.

The Council is also working with Marketing Edinburgh to deliver a tailored campaign to promote shops, cafes and restaurants across South Queensferry, where traders have been particularly affected by travel issues, and is encouraging the public to visit the seaside village.

Economic Development Convener, Councillor Frank Ross, is ‘standing ready’ to provide support to businesses in the area and around the city relying on seasonal spend, and is meeting with various Business Improvement Districts to provide reassurance and information on travel options for customers and staff.

Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Burns, said: “Over the last week our priority has been to make sure the capital remains open as usual, and have a number of measures in place to achieve this.

“Keeping the city moving is not just about transport but also involves the smooth running of the city’s many businesses and workplaces, so it is essential that they know they have our support.

“To this end we are encouraging commuters, visitors and Christmas shoppers to consider the alternative transport options on offer, including the Park and Ride system, to make the most of Edinburgh during the festive period.”

A team of Council transport and resilience staff continue to meet daily to monitor the ongoing situation and impact of changed traffic flows in the city, making dynamic improvements to signal timings where possible.

A number of additional measures have been put in place including waiting restrictions and parking management, particularly around Dalmeny Station, where the public are being discouraged from leaving cars to take the train directly outside the station. Here, a parking suspension has been put in place in nearby streets. Coning has been implemented to deter unauthorised parking by those using the train and information leaflets have been distributed on cars.

Both Scotrail and Stagecoach are providing additional services between Fife and Edinburgh throughout the period, with more information on their websites.

Car sharing is also being recommended to commuters in order to minimise delays. SEStrans’ website has full details of the liftshare scheme.

For live updates and news on the Forth Road Bridge closure visit Traffic Scotland’s website or follow @trafficscotland, @edintravel or the #frbinfohashtag on Twitter.