TRANSPORT chiefs are looking at using the Forth Road Bridge if the Queensferry Crossing has to shut again.

The £1.3 billion bridge that would supposedly never close was shut for two days recently due to ice falling from the cables onto vehicles below.

A Transport Scotland spokesperson said: “Following the recent closure of the Queensferry Crossing, we will investigate the feasibility of reopening the Forth Road Bridge to general traffic under emergency circumstances, once the remaining works are complete and the contraflow is removed.

"A decision was made to manage the risk through operational procedures, which was current practice at that time on similar structures elsewhere in the world."

The Scottish Government was criticised for failing to address the falling ice problem which was known about last March, when three vehicles were struck.

Plans are in place to fit ice sensors to give early detection of accumulations – currently they're relying on workers using binoculars.

During the closure motorists were faced with a 35-miles detour via the Kincardine Bridge.

Traffic could not be diverted over the Forth Road Bridge, which is now a dedicated public transport corridor, as it was undergoing maintenance works.

The closure led to to questions about the design of the Queensferry Crossing, with critics arguing freezing weather is to be expected in a Scottish winter and greater consideration should have been given to the issue of ice falling from the cables.

Bridge workers told the Times that in the early design process, there were plans for a coil mechanism that went through the cables to keep them heated.

They suggested that this wasn't included due to cost-cutting.

However, Transport Scotland said it considered the possibility of ice accumulation at an early stage of the bridge's design but due to the "rarity" of falling ice incidents, it was considered best addressed through "operational management", which includes visual inspections.

Officials have been looking at solutions from around the world but said the problems facing the Queensferry Crossing were specific to weather conditions and the particular design of the bridge.

Transport Scotland said: “A de-brief of the circumstances around the closure will be undertaken.

"This will include a full review of operational procedures, using the additional knowledge obtained from recent events, and a further detailed investigation of prevention or mitigation measures trialled or implemented around the world, including emerging research.

"Recommendations may include conducting research and development prior to any measures being proposed for implementation on the Queensferry Crossing."

Meanwhile, Scottish Conservative leader Jackson Carlaw was mocked online after blasting the design of the Queensferry Crossing despite chairing the committee that chose it.

Mr Carlaw branded the closure a "damning indictment" of the Scottish Government but it emerged that he convened the group charged with deciding the design of the bridge before construction got under way in 2011, previously describing the bridge as "stunning".