Temporary bridge closure planned

The bridge will close following concerns of driver distraction

The Kincardine Bridge is to be temporarily closed this week as the building of a new crossing across the Forth takes a major step forward.

It will shut in the early hours of Thursday morning while a large drilling rig, essential to the building of the new bridge, is delivered to the site.

It is feared that the operation would be too distracting for drivers.

The new £120m crossing aims to improve transport links between Forth Valley and Central Scotland.

Transport Scotland said that the project was progressing on time.

The rig, which is due to be delivered on a barge, will be used to prepare the river bed for the new bridge columns.

The A876 will be closed from about 0530 BST until 0700 BST as a result of the operation.

Traffic will be diverted northbound on the A977 to Alloa and by the A907, then southbound on the A91 to join the M9 at Pirnhall.