The Queensferry Crossing will officially become a motorway at the beginning of February, it has been announced.

The next milestone in the opening of the £1.35bn bridge over the Forth will take place on February 1.

A new guide has been produced to help road users understand the bridge layout and the new surrounding roads, with more than 25,000 copies distributed around the country.

The change means non-motorway traffic will no longer be able to use the Queensferry Crossing and must use the Forth Road Bridge as an alternative.

The speed limit on the bridge, which has been taking traffic since the end of August, was lifted to 70mph in December.

Traffic Scotland operator manager Stein Connelly said: "With these changes coming at the start of February it is important that road users understand who is able to use the Queensferry Crossing and who should use the Forth Road Bridge in future.

"That's why we are giving them advance notice to make sure they are informed ahead of time and are making the guide widely available in hard copy and online."

He continued: "The guide published today sets out what we mean by motorway traffic and what vehicles can use the Queensferry Crossing in future.

"It also sets out which vehicles are permitted to use the Forth Road Bridge as an alternative route when crossing the Forth.

"While most road users will be completely unaffected by the move to motorway status, I would encourage those who regularly use the Forth bridges, or those who are planning to use the bridge for a journey to read the guide and plan their journeys."