Queensferry Crossing open for business

The Queensferry Crossing officially opened to traffic in the early hours of this morning.

By the rush hour it was taking more than an hour to clear the new £1.35bn bridge in both directions with motorists keen to drive over for the first time.

A temporary 40mph speed limit was also put in place, with long tailbacks reported on surrounding roads.

The new bridge will take most of the traffic that currently uses the 53-year-old Forth Road Bridge, which will remain open for cyclists, pedestrians and buses.

The Queensferry Crossing, the UK’s tallest bridge, will be closed again this weekend to allow members of the public to walk across it.

About 50,000 people were given tickets after a ballot for a “once-in-a-lifetime” chance to walk over the new bridge on Saturday and Sunday.

There will then be a royal visit from the Queen next Monday, ahead of the bridge fully opening later next week.