Holyrood’s rural economy and connectivity committee heard today that the good weather has allowed progress to be made on the £1.35 billion replacement for the Forth Road Bridge.

However Mr Brown would not give a specific date for the opening, adding that “weather is still something that can present us with challenges”, scotsman.com has reported.

He said the bridge would be opened as soon as possible, but there were “too many variables” to be able to be more specific, including the weather.

The minster added: “On the plus side, just because of the lengthening days, that has allowed for more work to be done.

“But there has still continued to be… issues with wind, and sometimes issues with rain.

“There are continuing problems, probably none beyond that of what we would expect.”

Forth Crossing Building Constructors consortium project director David Climie said: “April and May has been very dry, which has helped us with waterproofing and surfacing.”

Mr Climie also told the committee the project remains within budget.

He added: “Nothing has come up so far that would entitle the contractor to claim extra costs for any overrun that will happen.

“So that’s why we are confident of maintaining the original budget.”

The bridge was originally due to have opened last December, but was postponed until May this year after bad weather delayed work.

A further delay caused by poor conditions pushed the opening back further.

Mr Brown once it opened, all traffic would initially use the Queensferry Crossing while the Forth Road Bridge was prepared as a “public transport corridor” for buses and taxis.

During that three to four week period, the speed limit on the new bridge would be reduced to 50mph.

Following that, it would be raised to 70mph and the Queensferry Crossing will become a motorway.