A96 traffic delays to continue in Moray due ‘complex and difficult’ repairs caused by Keith landslide
Investigators are still unsure how much damage Moray’s biggest road suffered in a landslide and have warned repairs would be a “detailed and complex process”.
A river bank and retaining wall fell into the River Isla, in Keith, at the Union Bridge just meters from the A96 after heavy rain on Sunday.
Road operator Amey installed temporary traffic lights on the day of the landslide, which are still in place, and engineers began “visual inspections” on Monday.
The footpath over the bridge has been closed since the weekend, with a safety barrier installed.
An Amey spokesperson explained repairing damage caused by the landslide would involve talks with utility companies and Historic Scotland.
The company promised further updates as more is discovered about the extent of the damage and as plans for a permanent fix are prepared.
The spokesperson added: “Clearly our immediate concern is one of safety for road users, pedestrians and our own teams following an incident like this.
“While our work progresses immediately on identifying the most appropriate permanent solution, this is likely to be a detailed and complex process involving liaison with a range of other agencies, including utility providers and Historic Scotland.
“Whilst we acknowledge the impact to road users and the local community, the traffic management is essential to keep everyone safe.
“The situation will continue to be monitored by our journey time reliability coordinators.
“Further updates will be provided as we progress work to identify a permanent repair.”
According to Traffic Scotland’s website, traffic lights will remain in place 24 hours a day during the “emergency works”.
After the landslide, motorists raised concerns that repairing the bridge could mean drivers facing “traffic lights for the next ten years”.
Garry Burgess, from Elgin, quipped that the under-threat A96 dualling project could be finished before damage is repaired.
More than 10 years ago, the Scottish Government pledged to dual the road between Aberdeen and Inverness by 2030, but we revealed this deadline was quietly scrapped more than three years ago.
“Ah well, Amey is on the case,” Mr Burgess said.
“Should be fixed by the time the A96 is dualled going by the amount of time to do pavements in Elgin.”
While Neil Stephen said: “That will be traffic lights for the next ten years.”
