Work will begin this weekend on a major project to eliminate congestion at one of Elgin's worst traffic bottlenecks.

The £2.8m scheme will see a new two-lane road bridge built over the Aberdeen-Inverness railway line at Reiket Lane on the eastern edge of the town.

Demolition of the existing narrow single-lane humpback bridge will get under way next week and traffic diversions will be in operation for around eight months while construction work takes place on the replacement bridge.

A temporary footbridge over the railway line will be swung into position overnight on Saturday/Sunday to ensure that pedestrian access is maintained during the construction period.

One of the main housing developers is contributing £500,000 towards the cost of the project.

Moray Council engineers have been involved in design work for the new bridge for over a year and have been working closely with Network Rail and the various utilities suppliers.

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Reiket Lane will be closed to traffic from 9am on Saturday, although pedestrian access will be maintained until 9pm when work will begin on hoisting the footbridge into place with a large crane.

The existing bridge will reopen to pedestrians at approximately 10am on Sunday.

The new temporary footbridge and approach paths should be ready for use by the public from Tuesday, when preparations will begin for the demolition of the humpback bridge.

The footbridge will remain in place throughout the construction of the new road bridge, which is due for completion in August.

For the duration of the construction period diversions will be in operation for traffic which would normally use Reiket Lane. The bus service to Pinefield will terminate at Manitoba Avenue.

Moray Council and the main contractors, Carillion, have been in contact with local residents, residents’ forums and school parent forums to keep them abreast of developments and suggested alternative routes to school.

The council's Senior Bridges Engineer, Neil Fotheringham, who is managing the project, said: "Despite the delay in starting, the project team are delighted to see work begin on this important link in the Elgin traffic management scheme.

"In any job of this size there is inevitably disruption caused by both the construction process and by changes to travel arrangements.

Mr Fotheringham added: "Over the coming months we will be keeping in touch with residents through the community council and the various local forums. In the meantime, we apologise for any inconvenience caused by our works."

(GK/BMcC)