Investigation work continues at Aboyne bridge

Aberdeenshire Council has offered its thanks to the residents of Birse, Aboyne and surrounding area "for their ongoing patience and understanding" during the current closure of Aboyne Bridge.

A spokesperson said: "We do appreciate that the closure is having a significant impact on many of your daily lives, particularly with regards to travel, but rest assured we are working as quickly as possible to progress matters.

"A tender has now gone out for specialist consultancy advice which will enable us to take forward the investigations and consider our options – we hope this will come back to us before Christmas, with a detailed appraisal of the whole structure commencing in the New Year.

"In terms of our own on-site works last week, we broke into the first of ten sealed chambers within the main span which enabled us to look inside and establish the condition of the concrete deck.

"As per our initial investigations the entire top deck is significantly damaged through 80+ years of freeze and thaw rendering it very dangerous – we must stress that even opening a section of the bridge for car travel cannot be considered on safety grounds.

"There has been some further concern around the winter treatment of the bridge but again we can confirm a footway treatment plan including the bridge and beyond to the B976 has been put in place and will remain throughout the winter months.

"Very low temperatures recently and lack of footfall to activate the salt meant that, on occasion, it froze, but we will continue treating with a mix of sand/salt so that there is ‘mechanical’ grip for users."

Officers are also in discussions with local community groups around the setting up of meetings with impacted residents and we will confirm dates, times and venues as soon as possible.

Meantime, a reminder that Aboyne Bridge - which carries the B968 Bridgeview Road over the River Dee - remains in use for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised forms of transport only, and it is the hope that this can continue for the long term.

The diversion for vehicles is via Dinnet Bridge (B9158 road).

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