Shocking state of 'new ' Kingussie bridge over the Spey
Pre-storm concerns are resurfacing about the state of a strategic bridge near Kingussie now that the snow and ice has finally abated.
As one local observer told the Strathy earlier this week: “It’s so sad to see the new Spey Bridge at Ruthven in such a state.”
Businessman Ruaridh Ormiston added: “It is a new bridge, barely five years old, but the deck is breaking up all over the place now.
“This is not a dig at Highland Council’s roads department who have done a magnificent job over the winter to keep us all moving.
“But I share the concerns of all locals that were already felt long before the snow and ice appeared.”
A large gouge now exists right across the bridge.
The crossing was reopened with some fanfare in November 2015 after a restoration following an enforced lengthy closure on safety grounds for traffic.
Another hole further along the bridge is threatening to do major damage to cars and livestock which rely on it.
Mr Ormiston added: “It will have to be sorted properly and permanently – and hopefully when they do come back to fix it they will add the pedestrian walkway that they forgot to add when building it.
“That is now more pressing than ever especially given it is officially such a vital link on the new extended Speyside Way.”
A spokesperson for Highland Council said: “There have been a number of issues with the degradation of the surfacing at Ruthven Bridge, some of which were fixed by the contractor as part of the maintenance period of their contract.
"This maintenance period is now over, but the council can still use the contract to rectify any latent defects.
"The bridge is due for inspection shortly, after which we will examine the potholes and seek to identify their cause.
"If we can show they are a contractual liability then the council can involve the contractor in rectifying the defect.”
