Future secured for Moray coastal crossing
The Scottish Government to fully fund the new Lossie East Beach crossing
Moray Council has agreed to take ownership of and maintain the new East Beach Bridge in Lossiemouth, following approval from the Scottish Government to fully fund the project.
Future maintenance of the bridge comes with an estimated cost of £165,000 for the whole life of the bridge.
The decision was also taken to demolish the old bridge during the course of construction to avoid a larger demolition bill if it was left to deteriorate, with demolition described as inevitable.
The Scottish Government approved funding for a new bridge from the Esplanade following the assessment of each option presented, which considered cost, environmental impact, flood risk and ground conditions. The environmental impact, flood risk and ground conditions were very similar for all of the options, however the costs for each option were significantly different.
The funding required to design and construct the bridge is £1.8 million, with a life of 100 years. Construction is expected to begin in January, with completion in Spring 2022.
Convener of Moray Council, Cllr Shona Morrison, said: “Although the community has a fond connection to the old bridge we must accept that it is, and will continue to be, a danger to public safety, which Moray Council has a duty to protect against.
“The building of a new bridge, however, is an exciting chapter in the history of Lossiemouth’s East Beach Bridges – this will be the third incarnation and is expected to last for over 100 years. I look forward to seeing the bridge transport excited beach-goers once again to Lossie’s East Beach by next Spring and for decades to come.”