DRIVERS have been warned to avoid the Forth Road Bridge during the next three weekends as demolition works cause disruption to surrounding routes.

Work to demolish the old B800 bridge over the A90 south of Echline Junction will get under way this weekend, and will continue on the weekends of October 31-November 1 and November 14-15.

It is being carried out as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing project.

As a result, the A90 and M90 (M9 Spur) will be closed to all traffic south of Echline Junction for around 36 hours each weekend, from 8pm each Saturday night until around 6am on the Monday morning.

In addition, operators of the Forth Road Bridge will also be carrying out essential maintenance, meaning that only a single lane contraflow will be in operation across the bridge.

Steven Brown, Roads and Infrastructure Manager at Transport Scotland, said: “All road users are advised that considerable delays are expected in the vicinity of the Forth during these closures and diversion routes will also be very busy.

"Disruption is inevitable in these areas and we would strongly recommend that people should only travel if their journey is absolutely necessary. Those travelling to and from Edinburgh Airport should also take the closure into consideration when planning their journey."

ScotRail have confirmed that they will add extra coaches to some trains over the three weekends to give motorists an alternative to road travel.

A spokeswoman for ScotRail said: "We will be adding extra coaches where possible, focusing on the busiest trains on each of the affected Sundays."