Bridge closure causes no problems

Train services across the bridge will be disrupted until the end of July

Fears that the closure of the Forth Rail Bridge would cause major traffic disruption on surrounding road routes have failed to materialise.

Traffic had been flowing steadily on the first working day since essential repairs got under way on Sunday, a Fife Council spokeswoman said.

The eight-day closure will run until the end of the month and is the longest in the 115-year history of the bridge.

Train operator Fist ScotRail is running replacement bus services.

The council spokeswoman added that there had been "no problems whatsoever".

"It's business as usual, but if any issues arise during the course of the week, we will take action to deal with them," she added.

First ScotRail also said it had experienced no disruption since the temporary alteration to the service.

Extra staff

The work, which could not be carried out while trains were running, involves more than 170 people working near the tracks.

First ScotRail has had to reorganise more than a quarter of Scotland's daily train services, including arranging alternative routes between Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness, and new timetables for services between Edinburgh, Fife and Dundee.

Workers are replacing ageing paint on the bridge with an industrial coating expected to last 30 years.

The refurbishment is part of a £13m investment by Network Rail in the bridge's future.

It will also involve strengthening steel work and repairs on Jamestown Viaduct in a separate £5m investment.

On Friday, First ScotRail said that commuters would see a "dramatic alteration" to their services and they could expect disruption.

It added that there would be extra staff at stations to assist travellers.