Repairs to the historic Bridge of Keig, near Alford, will begin next week following final approval of the project from Historic Scotland.

Specialist contractors for Aberdeenshire Council will begin strengthening work on the listed bridge on Monday, July 26.

The project, which will cost approximately £150,000, will run for eight weeks and is due to be complete by Friday, September 17.

The bridge, on the B992 Whitehouse to Keig Road, will remain closed to all traffic, including emergency vehicles, during the works. Pedestrian access will be maintained as far as possible and notice will be given of any crossing restrictions.

As part of the work steel anchors will be inserted into holes drilled in the bridge’s masonry to reinforce the 183-year-old structure. The external appearance of the bridge will not be affected.

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Head of Roads for Aberdeenshire Council, Philip McKay, said: “Following receipt of full and final approval of the project from Historic Scotland we have instructed our contractors to start work on the bridge as soon as possible.

“Strengthening work will begin on Monday and the project will be completed in September. The bridge will remain closed to all traffic during the works and existing diversionary routes will be lifted as soon as repairs are complete.”

The bridge was closed to all traffic in February following structural damage to its walls and road surface during sustained winter weather.

Aberdeenshire Council bridge engineers immediately conducted a series of inspections of the structure to assess what work was necessary for repairs.

Due to the bridge’s Grade A listing, consultations began with the authority’s planning service and Historic Scotland to find the most appropriate repair solution.

A design in principal for the use of steel anchors was obtained from the specialist contractor and a listed building application was granted at the end of May.

However, Historic Scotland qualified their initial approval for repairs with a condition that they must approve the full specification and detailed design prior to commencement on site.

This approval was received last week and preparations were made to start repair work to the bridge at the earliest possible opportunity.

The Bridge of Keig is one of the largest near-semicircular single-span masonry arches in Scotland, with a span of 30m and spandrel wall heights of nearly 15m.

(GK/KMcA)