Small businesses in the north of Scotland are suffering because of the Forth Road Bridge closure, Kezia Dugdale has claimed.
At a fiery First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Labour leader said many firms – including a shellfish company in the Highlands – were feeling the pinch since the crossing was shut.
The Forth Road Bridge is expected to be fully closed until at least the New Year, causing transport chaos across the busy festive period.
The Scottish Government has come under criticism for cutting the maintenance budget for the crossing by 65% in 2012.
Ms Dugdale said: “The Forth Road Bridge is more than just a road connecting Fife and Edinburgh.
“It is a strategic asset that is at the heart of the transport infrastructure for the whole country.
“Thousands of people rely on it to get to and from their work every day and businesses depend on it for getting their goods and services to their customers.
“I know of a shellfish firm in the Highlands that is worried about the impact of the bridge closure on business, and of a construction firm based in Fife that is thousands of pounds out of pocket because it is paying for staff to be put up in hotels in other parts of the country because it has deadlines to meet.”
She demanded the Scottish Government allow smaller business vehicles access to specially designated lanes that are currently used by HGVs and buses.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon insisted her administration was doing all it could to help ease the crisis.
She said: “I restate my absolute determination and that of the government to do everything that we can to minimise disruption and, even more importantly, get the Forth Road Bridge open again as quickly as possible.
“A number of sources have raised issues with regard to how we can further improve the travel plan that is in place.
“Some of those proposals have already been implemented — for example, on the priority route that was put in place for buses and HGVs, that priority has been lifted during the night-time period.
“We are currently considering a range of other proposals, including the light goods vehicle proposals.”