Ballater Bridge bolt theft prompts a call for information
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Officers are appealing for information after a number of bolts were removed from a bridge on the A939 in Deeside.
Four bolts were found to have been removed from a safety barrier on the Jubilee Gairnshiel Bridge near Ballater during a recent inspection.
The bolts would have been taken some time between October 2023 and February 2024.
Constable Kloey Barclay, of Banchory Police Station, said: “The removal of these bolts could increase the risk to drivers if there was a collision on the bridge and removing them is a very reckless act.
“We appreciate this is a long time frame when they may have been taken.
"However, we would urge anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious activity around the bridge to think back and let us know if you think you can help.
“Similarly, we would also be keen to speak to anyone who may have saved dashcam footage from the area since October last year up until recently.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting reference 0831 of 2 February, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Tthe new bridge at Gairnshiel opened in August last year replacing the old crossing after 271 years of faithful service.
It was named the Gairnshiel Jubilee Bridge to commemorate HM Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022 – the year in which construction began and the two main beams of the bridge – each weighing an impressive 100 tonnes – were lifted into place.
The switchover enabled Aberdeenshire Council to carry out consolidation and conservation works on the old A-listed heritage bridge so that it can remain in use for non-motorised users.
