IT has now been confirmed that agricultural vehicles have full access to the new Queensferry Crossing.

This comes after questions were asked by NFU Scotland over what restrictions would be placed on the new bridge's traffic. Longer term, NFUS is looking for agricultural vehicles to be allowed to use the Forth Road Bridge when it re-opens as a public transport corridor.

Chairman of NFU Scotland’s legal and technical committee, Jamie Smart, who also operates the union’s agricultural vehicles helpline, said: “Both sides of the Forth are very productive farmland and transport of goods and machinery are important to keep these agricultural businesses moving at this busy time of year.

“Members in the area were concerned about access arrangements to the new Queensferry Crossing now that it has opened. Upon contacting the authorities, some farmers had been instructed that they could only use the Kincardine or Clackmannan bridges. That was incorrect," he stated.

“Following a request from NFUS, we have had confirmation that, in the short term, agricultural vehicles can use the new bridge as it has an ‘A’ class road status.

“Longer term, once the Queensferry Crossing achieves motorway status, NFUS is looking for agricultural vehicles to have access to the Forth Road Bridge. Discussions are ongoing, but the union is seeking access to the Forth Road Bridge without the need for cumbersome bureaucracy or unnecessary levels of paperwork for the farmers looking to use that route.”