THE Queensferry Crossing will become a motorway officially today.

Road orders have been approved for the £1.35 billion bridge’s latest milestone.

The change means non-motorway traffic will no longer be able to the use the crossing and must use the Forth Road Bridge as an alternative.

The Queensferry Crossing (M90 motorway) can accommodate general traffic such as cars and HGVs, whereas the Forth Road Bridge (A9000) hosts public transport.

Pedestrians and cyclists are prohibited from using the M90 but can use the dedicated footway and/or cycleway on the Forth Road Bridge.

Motorcycles less than 50cc, including learners, must use the A9000.

Learner drivers cars and motorcycles (other than up to 125cc) and horse/horse drawn vehicles are not allowed on either bridge.

A guide has been created to help drivers understand the bridge layout and new surrounding roads.

More than 25,000 copies of the guide have been made which are being distributed across Scotland in libraries, tourist information offices, petrol stations and public transport stations.

Stein Connelly, Traffic Scotland operator manager, said: “With these changes coming at the start of February it is important that road users understand who is able to use the Queensferry Crossing and who should use the Forth Road Bridge in future.

“That’s why we are giving them advance notice to make sure they are informed ahead of time and are making the guide widely available in hard copy and online.

“The guide published today (Monday) sets out what we mean by motorway traffic and what vehicles can use the Queensferry Crossing in future.

“It also sets out which vehicles are permitted to use the Forth Road Bridge as an alternative route when crossing the Forth.
“While most road users will be completely unaffected by the move to motorway status, I would encourage those who regularly use the Forth bridges, or those who are planning to use the bridge for a journey to read the guide and plan their journeys.”