Tain’s damaged Alexandra Bridge to remain shut until at least the tail end of the month; the listed 19th century crossing over the RIver Tain on Tain Links has been closed by Highland Council since August 8.
A suspension bridge at an Easter Ross beauty spot looks set to remain closed until at least the back end of the month - despite local frustration.
The Alexandra Bridge, a listed 19th century pedestrian bridge which crosses the mouth of the River Tain on Tain Links, has been shut since August 8 due to “deterioration” of the wooden deck.
Footage has since been circulating on social media showing a large missing plank towards the northern end of the bridge - although it is unknown if this is the only issue already identified or if there are multiple faults.
Despite previous issues with rotting planks or lifting screws having been resolved fairly swiftly in the past the bridge has now remained closed for more than a week.
And it looks set to remain closed until at least August 26 at the earliest.
Confirming that the bridge will be closed until after a "detailed inspection" on August 26, a Highland Council spokesperson said: “Following a recent site visit to Alexandra Bridge, the Council’s Property team has arranged for an engineer to carry out a detailed inspection on 26 August to assess the defects and determine the necessary repairs.
"Repairs will be undertaken as soon as possible once the engineer’s report is received.
“In the meantime, the bridge will remain closed to ensure public safety. We recognise that the continued closure will cause some frustration in the community, nonetheless we must protect the public by keeping the bridge closed until it is safe.”
There have been mixed reactions to the closure on the town’s social media pages, with some questioning why the plank can’t simply be replaced and the bridge swiftly reopened, and others arguing that the damage that people can see may not be the only issues, and that it makes sense to wait for a full inspection to ensure everyone’s safety.
Commenting on the Tain Community Facebook page, John Mackenzie said: “Annual inspections on such bridges would highlight any signs of corrosion. Maybe in future regular maintenance checks would prevent this sort of thing happening and the public would have constant use of the bridge.
Derek Millham said: “Surely there is someone in Tain capable of replacing a faulty length of wood? Was it necessary to close this bridge Health and Safety gone mad!”
Lorraine Mann responded: “There has been an inspection. Various defects were found. If they just replace the one plank and then someone is injured as a result of various other planks being rotten or loose, whose fault will that be? Ah yes… the council’s. They REALLY can’t win, can they?”
What do you think? Are you worried the bridge could be out of action for an extended period? Do you think the council is right to be cautious, especially in the wake of the damage caused by Storm Floris just days before the closure? Let us know by email at newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk