The Highland Council has awarded contracts valued at £600,000 for vital works at two Black Isle bridges.

Both Henrietta Bridge, in Avoch, and Rosemarkie Bridge on the A832 road to Cromarty, suffered structural damage during the recent severe winters. Following assessment of the damage, and subsequent design of repair and refurbishment works, these schemes were put out to tender earlier this year. The procurement processes are now complete.

The contract for repairs to Henrietta Bridge has been awarded to MacGregor Construction (Highlands) of Inverness, and work is due to commence on 15 August, with an 8 week contract period. These works involve careful repair of the stonework of the bridge, which is a listed structure closely linked to the history of Avoch fishervillage. The bridge will be fully closed during the contract period, with local diversions in place for vehicles and pedestrians.

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The contract for structural repair of Rosemarkie Bridge has been awarded to Morgan Sindall and again, the works are due to commence on 15 August with a 12 week contract period. The works will include a temporary diversion of traffic, and installation of a temporary bridge will be one of the first pieces of work to be carried out. It is not anticipated that there will be significant traffic delays arising from the works, although large and heavy vehicles are encouraged to take alternative routes avoiding the works.

Councillor John Laing, Chairman of the Council’s Transport Environmental and Community Services Committee, said: “Road bridges form a key part of the transport network and it is important that they are kept in good order to keep communications open and unrestricted throughout the Highland area. I am pleased the Council has been able to find funds in these austere times to invest in our stock and that both Henrietta Bridge and Rosemarkie Bridge will be brought back up to standard following recent damaging winters.”

(GK)