Build Scotland Construction Directory
Time and date
CONSTRUCTION DIRECTORY
Share this page
Construction News
12/12/2018

Repair Work Completed On Storm Damaged Polhollick Footbridge

Construction News Image
Repair work on Polhollick Footbridge at Ballater's popular Seven Bridges Walk has been completed.

B-listed Polhollick Suspension Footbridge over the River Dee was extensively damaged during Storm Frank almost three years ago and is part of the Seven Bridges walking route. 

The area's infrastructure was hit hard by severe weather and flooding during the storm, with 288 bridges requiring essential repairs.

Priority was given to bridges carrying motorised transport, before attention turned to damaged footbridges. Of those, Polhollick and Cambus O'May bridges near Ballater in Royal Deeside were among the worst hit. 

Both were affected by extremely high river levels and were struck by trees and other debris being swept downriver.

Over the last few months Aberdeenshire Council's Bridges Section has been working with contractor Moray Blast of Mosstodloch to carry out the essential repairs required to bring Polhollick Bridge back into a serviceable condition.

-- Advertisement --
NorthernAsbestosServicesLtd

Bridges Manager, Donald Macpherson, said: "Due to the historical significance and listed status of the bridge, all the existing damaged steelwork was straightened as far as practicable, in order to maintain the original character of the bridge.  

"The repairs have involved the careful application of heat to distorted bridge members, together with the use of hydraulic jacks and winches to ease them back into alignment.

"Therefore, only very minimal replacement of some missing latticework on the upstream bridge parapet has been necessary."

This work has now been successfully completed and the bridge reopened.

Now only the B-listed Cambus O'May Suspension Footbridge Bridge, downstream of Ballater, remains to be repaired from those bridges which sustained damage during Storm Frank.

Although it is more severely damaged than Polhollick, it is hoped the lessons learned will allow repair plans to be put forward for consideration by Historic Environment Scotland early in 2019.

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Peter Argyle, also a local councillor (Aboyne, Upper Deeside and Donside) said: "The fact we are still seeing work to repair damage inflicted by Storm Frank reminds us just how significant an event that was, and the severe impact on Aberdeenshire's infrastructure.

"I'm glad Polhollick Footbridge can now be brought back into service– it's important to the local community and gives access to some of the fantastic walking around the area."

Chair of the Marr Area Committee, Moira Ingleby, said: "Both the Polhollick and Cambus O'May Bridges are important to the local area in many ways – from recreation to tourism.

"They are also part of the history of the area and it was a shock to see how badly both were damaged during Storm Frank, so many people will be pleased to see works progressing to bring both back to their former glory."

Latest Construction News

03/05/2024

The Wheatley Group has been given planning permission from Glasgow City Council to convert the 1930s B-listed Bellgrove Hotel into 14 modern, energy-efficient and affordable flats – eight of which will be wheelchair accessible. Permission has also been granted for a further 56 flats to be built on ...
03/05/2024

Renewable energy leader Drax has announced that it will invest £80 million in a major refurbishment of its iconic 'Hollow Mountain' Cruachan pumped storage hydro power station in Scotland. Global hydropower technology supplier ANDRITZ has been appointed as the main contractor for the Cruachan ...
03/05/2024

Clark Contracts has welcomed the news that the former Dalmarnock Purifier Studios, now branded as EastWorks, has been awarded the Refurbished/Recycled workplace award at the prestigious British Council for Offices (BCO) Awards 2024. The 120-year-old former purifier shed, owned by Clyde Gateway, ...
03/05/2024

Stirling Council has launched a public consultation to shape future developments at the Viewforth and Burghmuir Road areas. The new draft framework and planning brief for Viewforth and Burghmuir covers a key area of the city centre that includes the Viewforth site, existing council buildings, ...
03/05/2024

Morrison Community Care (CCG) Holdco has secured planning permission or its latest project in South Queensferry, marking its third consecutive success. Forming part of a wider 44-hectare masterplan that will include 980 new homes, a primary school and commercial premises on Builyon Road, south of ...
03/05/2024

The Highland Council's Economy and Infrastructure Committee have carried out a review of the last two years of the Community Regeneration Funding Programme, ahead of agreeing changes to how the 2024/25 programme will be delivered. Committee Chair, Cllr Ken Gowans said: "Following a successful two ...
03/05/2024

Perth and Kinross Council and partners are set to progress community-led projects aimed at revitalising homes and improving rural transport links, following a winning bid for Innovate UK Pathfinder Places funding. Funding of £150,000 has been secured following a successful Phase 1 Pathfinder ...
03/05/2024

SGN engineers working on the H100 Fife project have helped support the Methilhill Community Children's Initiative (MCCI) by building an eco-toilet in the charity's learning garden. MCCI provides a safe and engaging space for local children to participate in various outdoor activities, including ...
03/05/2024

SNIPEF, the Scottish and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers' Federation, has published a draft of its 2024 election manifesto detailing six strategic policy proposals designed to support its members and the broader plumbing and heating profession. Once finalised, the manifesto will be central to ...
03/05/2024

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have published their 2024-25 Annual Operating Plan, detailing how they will protect and improve Scotland's environment over the next 12 months. The publication follows the launch of a new Corporate Plan at the end of March, which set out the ...
RBT Underfloor LimitedMorris & Spottiswood LtdMaterials Market LtdToner Damp Proofing SuppliesNo HydroBurnside Plant Hire LtdKattrak International Hidromek SalesScotdeck LtdThe Big Block Co LtdSafe Access (Highland) Ltd.
Terms and Conditions
2024/05/05 11:34:17