Moray Council in final act to prevent foolhardy Lossie beach-goers
A section of the footbridge is to be removed after repeated attempts to use crossing
In a bid to finally prevent people risking their safety in Lossiemouth, a section of the East Beach footbridge is to be removed to permanently stop the walkway from being used.
Barriers preventing public access to the bridge have been repeatedly vandalised, and this situation has not been helped with warmer weather attracting more beach-goers.
Moray Council now say they will remove one of the centre spans over the coming weeks to prevent any further use.
Spans in the centre over the River Lossie are the highest parts of the bridge and the weakest section of the structure.
Leader of Moray Council, Cllr Graham Leadbitter, said that the council must act to protect even those foolhardy enough to keep using the footbridge.
“There is great concern that further and rapid deterioration will occur, particularly the centre spans, with weather and pedestrian use,” he said.
“If these centre spans collapse into the river below we could be dealing with a tragedy, which can be avoided by taking this action.
“I’m sure the people of Lossiemouth will agree with this action, taken as it is with the best interests of public safety at heart.
The bridge is due to be replaced over the next 18 months, after it was declared dangerously unsafe by engineers in July 2019.
The process to design and build a replacement bridge, funded by the Scottish Government, has commenced but is at early stages.