The Forth Road Bridge was closed yesterday (Thu) after icicles began to fall on traffic from the 156m high towers.
The busy bridge was shut in both directions just after 1:30pm for about an hour, causing miles of tailbacks on either side of the crossing.
Bridge operators tweeted: “Bridge closed in both directions due to accumulation of snow and ice on towers and cables above carriageway. Team on site working to clear.”
People replied that they had felt “thuds” as they passed under the South Tower.
The closure resulted in considerable queues and delays for travellers across the travel network.
David Cummings tweeted: “North side been turned around. Gutted as on way to see my new grandkid in hospital.”
One user named Cat said: “Me and wife stuck on one side…kids at school on the other. Can’t be that bad.”
A spokesman for the bridge explained that the temporary closure was due to a “high chance of snow and ice falling onto traffic”.
He said: “We had to act in the interest of public safety. No-one was injured by falling snow or ice but we took precautionary measures.
“We had a team working to clear the problem and re-opened the bridge. We will be keeping an eye on things.”
Police Scotland diverted traffic away from the bridge and urged motorists planning to use the route to make alternative arrangements.
A spokesman for the Met Office said: “If you get the right conditions – snow accumulating and then further rain – ice can form on the higher structures of bridges.
“It happens quite often – more than people would think. The Severn Bridge usually experiences this.”
Many motorists took a 20-mile detour to the Kincardine Bridge – the alternative way of crossing the Firth of Forth.
Google Maps showed approximately two miles of heavy traffic leading to the south end of the Kincardine crossing.
Twitter user ‘martinlmnt’ said: “A lot of traffic on both the Kincardine and Clackmannan bridges.”
The Met Office yesterday (11th) morning issued a yellow “be aware” warning over much of the south east of Scotland, with snow flurries expected well into the weekend as temperatures plummet.
But experts said the capital would only experience fleeting snow cover as blustery conditions whip the streets and rain sweep in.
And Sunday could see milder conditions take hold, with a strong breeze remaining in place.
