Plans for the construction of Dean Bridge, Kilmarnock, in East Ayrshire, have been approved by the local authority.

Throughout the year, the Dean Ford floods on a number of occasions, but it is hoped with the new proposals, this will remove the inconvenience it causes to the local community.

The ford itself is in a poor structural condition and is in need of regular maintenance to prevent debris from causing blockages. The nearby Lauder Footbridge is also in need of replacement, and the local community has also raised concerns about the current environmental dangers to migrating fish.

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East Ayrshire Council's Cabinet has now agreed to a plan which will allow work to be carried out on the Dean Bridge. At a project cost of £1.85m, the plans would move the alignment of the road lightly downstream, with the construction of a new road bridge incorporating the pedestrian footways and the removal of the temporary footbridge.

Work to design and manufacture the pre-cast elements of the bridge will begin immediately, with site works expected to commence in September 2014. The work is expected to be completed by February 2015.

Depute Leader and spokesperson for Improving Community Safety, Councillor Tom Cook, said: "In the interest of public safety, this is absolutely the right decision to take. Kilmarnock is quite unique in having a ford crossing an arterial road in its town centre, but it's had its day.

"The new Dean Bridge will improve road safety locally by providing the travelling public, and pedestrians, with a safe route across the river, as well as improving access to Dean Castle Country Park and the new Kilmarnock school campus when it opens."

(JP/MH)