Council finds way around materials shortage to reopen Inverness bridge

(Kev Gregory, Shutterstock)

INTERIM repairs have been completed on the Infirmary Bridge in Inverness allowing it to reopen to the public.

It comes following the Highland Council revealing that long term repairs on the bridge had been delayed due to a materials shortage – with parts of the crossing that were  manufactured specifically for the structure being unavailable.

However, due to the importance of the crossing, the local authority opted for interim repairs to its decking – working ‘hard’ to source the necessary materials to reopen it as soon as possible.

A major refurbishment of the bridge is now being planned, with the council allocating £550,000 of capital maintenance funds for the works – which will include steelwork repairs, partial repainting and the installation of a new timber deck.

The local authority advised the public that a closure of Infirmary Bridge for a period of potentially two to three months is ‘inevitable’ whilst the major refurbishment is carried out.