TWITTER users have responded after LibDem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton ridiculed the Queensferry Crossing and announced the bridge that "would never close" had closed due to Storm Ciara.
The Edinburgh Western MSP shared a tweet from The Forths Bridges account which announced the closure of the crossing due to dangerous conditions.
He didn't hesitate to take aim at the crossing, which has been a spark-point in debates.
But what looked like an easy dig, turned out badly for him.
READ MORE: Alan Dunlop: The case for a Celtic bridge is more than economic
When the bridge was initially designed, the claim that it would never close due to high winds was made. To this day it stands correct. The reason the bridge closed today, is due to an unexpected problem due to ice.
SNP MP Sandra White criticised his tweet. The Glasgow Kelvin MSP tweeted: "Due to falling ice blocks 8 cars damaged I’d say the right decision was taken. As an elected member, I would have thought Alex your concerns would be with anyone affected both public and staff doing their best in horrendous conditions."
Due to falling ice blocks 8 cars damaged I’d say the right decision was taken as an elected member I would have thought Alex your concerns would be with anyone affected both public and staff doing their best in horrendous conditions
— Sandra White (@SandraWhiteSNP) February 10, 2020
Twitter user Eddie Macdonald was on the ball too, reminding Cole-Hamilton that the bridge was built and opened on time and under budget. He said the reason Unionists hate the bridge is because it's "a topper".
The Queensferry Bridge:
— Eddie (MacCybernat) Macdonald (@bigbenn1e) February 10, 2020
Award winning design
Built and opened on time
Built and opened under budget
A Godsend for the local community
Might have to be closed in extreme weather, like all bridges
This is why the unionists hate it, it's a topper ! ! !
User Willie Ross took the burden of reminding Cole-Hamilton that the Queensferry Crossing wasn't the only bridge to close due to the weather conditions.
He asked: "Are any of your colleagues in South Wales, or the Bristol area making arses of themselves?"
The Severn Bridge was shut too.
— Willie Union Dividend My Arse! #DissolveTheUnion (@Willie_Ross) February 11, 2020
Are any of your colleagues in South Wales, or the Bristol area making arses of themselves?
User LW StillYes hit right at the core of the issue, saying Cole-Hamilton was using it to stir up anger at the SNP. They asked the LibDem MSP if he thought Nicola Sturgeon was somehow responsible for the weather.
Closed due to extremely adverse weather conditions- would you prefer it was kept open and peoples lives put at risk? Is the weather somehow the fault of the @theSNP, @NicolaSturgeon or @scotgov? 🙄
— LW StillYES🏴🇪🇺 (@redcelt2) February 10, 2020
Another user took a similar approach and asked: "How dare the FM not use her weather-controlling powers like Storm out of X-Men!"
We have written to Nicola Sturgeon asking for comment.
How dare the FM not use her weather controlling powers like Storm out of X-Men!
— Prince of Alba (@davidkerr1970) February 11, 2020
User @grantrs4 didn't let Cole-Hamilton off lightly, accusing him of using a bridge that benefits his constituents "greatly" as ammunition against the SNP.
The bridge benefits all your constituents greatly and the one time it is closed (due to a huge storm) you relish the opportunity to slate it.
— Grant (@grantrs4) February 10, 2020
YES Brechin snuck a dig at the Union in his tweet, something Cole-Hamilton has defended strongly in his career as a LibDem.
They said the Titanic would never sink, they said there would be no border down the Irish Sea, they said Scotland would be an equal partner in the UK...
— YES Brechin (@BrechinYes2) February 11, 2020
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