EMBARRASSED road bosses were forced to close the Kessock Bridge in the Highlands after a mobile crane became entangled in a temporary barrier.
The incident immediately blocked the northbound lane and it then became necessary to close the southbound lane for the vehicle to be recovered. The bridge was closed for 45 minutes.
The vehicle was on the limits of those permitted through the works unescorted and similar vehicles have passed through the site without incident. After negotiations with Northern Constabulary however, it was agreed to reduce the allowable width of unescorted vehicles from three metres to 2.9m to avoid a reoccurrence of the problem.
Calum Galloway, bridges manager for contractor Scotland TranServ, said: “It proved particularly difficult recovering the vehicle this morning and without the co-operative approach of all parties, would have taken considerably longer to resolve.”
The company had to issue an apology last month when drivers were left gridlocked for hours after an unannounced closure of one of the lanes in advance of resurfacing and upgrading works.
