Essential £3million Banff Bridge works are now a top priority
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Priority work to ensure the safety of Banff Bridge on the A98 which crosses the River Deveron have been moved to the top of Aberdeenshire Council's scheme of works a new report has revealed.
The bridges workbank prioritisation update which will be discussed at the infrastructure services committee on Thursday shows the current status of the 1311bridges in Aberdeenshire that carry a public road.
Over the past four years eight bridge replacements (including four of bridges lost in flood events) and seven refurbishments have been completed.
According to the report however, "23 per cent of the bridge stock is showing signs of significant deterioration."
The figures for Bridge Alert Status are-
Black - already closed to vehicles -14 (1 per cent).
Red - high likelihood closure in five years - 14 (1 per cent).
Amber - medium likelihood of closure in five years 83 (6 per cent),
Yellow – likelihood of closure in 20 years 190 (14 per cent),
Over recent years 14 bridges have been closed, with a further six being subject to weight restrictions and three with width restrictions.
The estimate is that there are currently 111 (all black, red and amber) bridges that would require either replacement/restoration or major refurbishment, and that this figure is likely to increase.
The new list of prioritised major works required shows some £61.6 million in investment which would be required to deal with the issues,
Topping the list is Banff Bridge (A98 RED) following detailed appraisal of River/Sea interaction.
In the report it notes that scour remedial and preventative works essential to safe guard service life of this important A heritage Listed Bridge (Constructed 1780) are needed and the bridge alert status was recently raised to red to reflect the urgency following detailed appraisal of River/Sea interaction.
The estimated cost of works is £3million.
Aboyne Bridge (B968 BLACK) is second on the list as it is in need of major structural remediation as a minimum with works expected to be in the region of £5,5 million.
In third place is Abbeyton Bridge (B966 BLACK). Replacement of demolished bridge is needed with the priority level reflecting danger to the live rail line it crosses.
The rest of the top ten are -
Dinnet bridge (B9158 RED) - Replacement off line with conservation of existing B listed bridge.
Waterside bridge (A975, AMBER) - Major concrete repairs, deck waterproofing and steelwork maintenance.
Inverbervie bridge (A92, AMBER) - Major concrete repairs, deck joint replacement, deck waterproofing.
Bridge of Buchaam (A97, AMBER) - Major masonry remediation and deck strengthening.
Oatyhill rail bridge (U91K, BLACK) -Replacement
Luib bridge (A939, AMBER) - Scour remedials including major river re-alignment to restore effective line of the river through the bridge.
Auchallater Bridge (A93,AMBER) - Replacement bridge to replace defective and weak existing bridge.
