Repair work will be carried out on the Queen Elizabeth Bridge, Aberdeen, next month.

The drainage system at the north end of the bridge is failing and potholes are opening up on the carriageway as a result.

The system is to be repaired to allow the bridge to continue functioning properly.

The £150,000 repair work is being funded jointly by Aberdeen City Council and Nestrans, which are paying one-third and two-thirds of the costs respectively.

The work is likely to cause delays and motorists should avoid the area if possible.

Anyone travelling to the ferry terminal, bus station or railway station should allow extra time for their journey in case of delays.

The council's Enterprise, Planning and Infrastructure director Gordon McIntosh said: "The Queen Elizabeth bridge is a key part of the city's infrastructure and is heavily used.

"There is no doubt that the repair works will cause some delays, but we are doing everything we can to mitigate that and have contingency plans in place to introduce extra traffic control measures if they are required.

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"The work is essential. Without it, the bridge will deteriorate and we cannot allow that to happen. We will be closely monitoring the work to ensure that it is carried out as quickly as possible."

Nestrans chair, Councillor Kevin Stewart added: "Nestrans recognises the need for this essential repair work to be carried out on this very busy bridge and that recognition is reflected in the level of investment the partnership is putting into the work.

"Unfortunately, the delays which will be caused by the work are almost inevitable, but it is a case of short term pain for long term gain. Avoid the area during the work if you can and make sure you give yourself extra time to reach your destination if you can't avoid it."

The bridge's southbound carriageway will be closed for up to 10 days from Thursday, 1 July, followed by a closure of the northbound carriageway for up to 10 days, immediately following the re-opening of the southbound carriageway.

The bulk of the work will be carried out during the school summer holidays, when the roads are traditionally at their quietest. It has also been timed to coincide with Scottish Gas Networks mains replacement work, to minimise disruption to the travelling public. Turriff Contractors will be carrying out the work on the energy company's behalf and will be working seven days a week from 7am until 7pm to get the job done as quickly as possible.

There will be offside lane closures on North Esplanade West from the Queen Elizabeth Bridge to Market Street in both directions for up to eight weeks from Friday, 2 July.

The mains replacement work will be carried out in three sections, starting at the Queen Elizabeth Bridge and working towards Market Street.

The diversion route for traffic during the southbound closure is North Esplanade West, Victoria Road, Menzies Road and Craig Place. All high sided vehicles must take this route because of the four metre height restriction at Wellington Suspension Bridge.

The diversion route for traffic during the northbound closure of the Queen Elizabeth Bridge is South Esplanade West, Victoria Road and North Esplanade West.

(GK)