THERE will be a "temporary lane realignment" and speed restrictions for up to 16 days on the Queensferry Crossing.

A section of the northbound carriageway will be adjusted and marked by traffic cones to allow for "essential" under-deck maintenance at the south end of the bridge.

The work starts on Sunday November 17 and will be carried out by Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors (FCBC) on behalf of Transport Scotland, with motorists told there should be "no significant disruption".

A 50mph temporary speed limit will be in force and a free vehicle recovery service will be provided to attend to any breakdowns within the roadworks area.

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David Bishop, BEAR Scotland’s south east unit bridges manager, said: “BEAR Scotland will be supporting FCBC to implement this essential maintenance on behalf of Transport Scotland.

“Road users will be largely unaffected by the operation, with works taking place below deck level.

"Once the traffic management has been set up, two lanes of traffic will be maintained during the works to ensure that there is no significant disruption to road users.”

Installation of traffic management is to be undertaken on the night of November 17 - between 8pm and 6am - with the adjustment to the northbound lanes requiring the closure of a length of hard shoulder for the period of the works.

The southbound carriageway is not affected by these works.

Abnormal loads heading across the bridge to Fife will have to divert via the Clackmannanshire Bridge during the 16-day period.

Motorists using the Queensferry Crossing are encouraged to plan ahead during the the works by checking the Traffic Scotland website www.traffic.gov.scot for up-to-date travel information.