Work to rebuild the first of six north-east bridges destroyed by rainfall to be completed by end of month
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Work to rebuild the first of the six bridges destroyed by heavy rainfall in the King Edward area is expected to be completed by the end of the month.
MP for Banff and Buchan, David Duguid, welcomed the news about the Bridge of Fortrie having received the update following a visit to the site.
Mr Duguid, who has been in regular contact with the council, said its completion marked the first milestone for communities while making it easier for the emergency services to reach residents in the area.
The bridges were destroyed by heavy and persistent rain in September 2019, leaving places across King Edward cut off from each other.
Work to rebuild North Litterty Bridge and Bruntyards Culvert will be completed by the end of the year while Gorrachie, Millcroft and Mill of Balmaud will be repaired in 2022.
Mr Duguid said: “For the last two years, the King Edward community has effectively been cut in half by having no access to these much-needed bridges.
“The emergency services have regularly found themselves lost while trying to reach isolated villagers due to the difficult diversions in place.
“It has also proved to be a huge burden on farmers and businesses which is why news of Fortrie being completed by the end of the month will be a relief to many.
“This is the first milestone in a major recovery programme for infrastructure in the area which has been devastated by the weather in recent years.
“I commend Aberdeenshire Council for its commitment to helping communities get back on the road to normality.
“Losing so many bridges at once has been really difficult for the area but I’m pleased a brighter future now lies ahead.”
