Moray MP Douglas Ross has urged the local council to “fast-track” bridge repair work – more than a year on from its closure amid safety concerns.
The Foths Bridge, on the southern outskirts of Elgin, was sealed off to traffic in November 2019.
At the time, engineers said there had been “significant, recent and active” movement on the stonework of the crossing between the Glenlossie Distillery and Birnie Inn. However, it had been hoped that the bridge would re-open within a few months.
In January this year, Moray Council said it would not have funds available to return it to use until at least the 2024/25 financial year. The local authority outlined several options costing from £56,000 for minimal repairs to £135,000 for full demolition and replacement.
In the meantime, officials advised locals to use an alternative route that residents have said is a heavily potholed single lane road with a heavy volume of traffic.
Scottish Conservative MP for Moray Douglas Ross said:
“It is now almost a year since I met around 40 local residents at Foths Bridge to discuss their concerns about the closure.
“Eleven months on and despite several discussions with the council, we are still in the same position with no end in sight. Indeed, the situation has worsened with regard to the alternative route which has predictably got far worse because of the increased usage.
“I previously asked the council to consider all alternative options, but there is little evidence that any progress has been made.
“I don’t think it is acceptable for residents to wait for another four or five years to see this bridge repaired. We need a greater sense of urgency to fast track this work and get the bridge sorted and the road reopened.”
Scottish Conservative councillor for Fochabers Lhanbryde Marc Macrae said:
“The recent heavy rainfall and flooding in all parts of Moray has caused problems for residents, with some of the alternative routes submerged in water at times.
“Residents are understandably concerned about this and they do not want to wait until 2024 to see progress on the bridge.
“At the very least, I think there is a case to be made for doing maintenance and repair work now.
“I will be bringing this up in the discussions about the council budget-setting process for the year ahead.”