Banff Bridge upgraded to top of Aberdeenshire Council's workbank prioritisation programme

'At Risk' Banff Bridge has been moved to the top of Aberdeenshire Council's workbank prioritisation programme after serious structural issues were identified during recent investigations.

The 1780 bridge had its alert status heightened to 'Red' - which reflects a high likelihood of closure within five years.

Repairs are estimated to be around £3million.

Works would involve the construction of rock rolls at the base of the six piers and two abutments which would aim to mitigate any risk of collapse during exceptional river spate events.

The local authority say such events are now considered "more likely" as we experience more frequent storms due to climate change.

Aboyne Bridge - which has been closed since November last year - has been upgraded to second priority in terms of urgency after inspectors discovered significant concrete disintegration in the structure's top deck.

The 84-year-old bridge requires "major" structural remediation at a minimum cost of £2.5million.

The repair works are part of the council’s bridges workbank prioritisation programme which manages bridge stock and aims to ensure an effective use of funding.

Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Alan Turner, said: “There is no question that the management of our bridges requires very careful consideration and this workbank prioritisation programme does just that – providing clarity for the public to see which bridges require the most immediate interventions.

"With unlimited funding we would, of course, want to see all our bridges repaired or replaced as required, but we have to face facts that we simply don’t have the budget to do that.”

There are 1,311 bridges in Aberdeenshire carrying a public road which equates to an average of a bridge every 2.7 miles of road.

Over the past four years the council has undertaken eight bridge replacements – including five of the six bridges lost in flooding at King Edward – and seven refurbishments have been also completed.

In recent years 14 bridges have been closed, with a further six being subject to weight restrictions and three now having width restrictions imposed.

The local authority say budget availability coupled with sharp rises in construction costs has already impacted on the delivery of the planned works programme, with regular inspections having also highlighted concerns with increased deterioration rates at certain structures.

Vice-chair Cllr Isobel Davidson added: “Given the significant budget restrictions we, as council, face each year to undertake replacements and improvements to the network, the efforts of our small yet dedicated bridges team to safeguard so many structures with the limited funding we can provide must be applauded.

"Only through a prioritisation programme such as this will we be able to track the condition of our bridges and the urgency with which repairs have to be made.”