Politicians working to solve Lossiemouth bridge closure

Moray's politicians are working to come up with solutions to the closure of a Lossiemouth bridge.

The East Bridge was closed on the evening of Wednesday, July 24, after a visual inspection took place and Moray Council’s building standards officers and structural engineer deemed it to be unsafe.

Although the bridge is not council owned, they were obliged to shut it in the interest of public safety and it has now been confirmed the structure will remain closed "until such time as it is made safe".

SNP Moray Council convener Shona Morrison has called for the establishment of a "taskforce" to find solutions to the closure of the East Beach bridge, while fellow SNP member, Richard Lochhead MSP, has spoken to the army at Kinloss.

Conservative MP Douglas Ross says he will everything he can to help re-open the bridge and brought the issue up at Westminster today.

As the bridge is the only way to access the beach, one of Moray's most popular, and it's the peak of tourist season – answers are needed quickly to solve the issue.

Cllr Convener Shona Morrison said: "I have called for an urgent taskforce consisting of representatives from all of community groups, members of the council administration, local members, RAF Lossiemouth and 39th Regiment to be established to find a way forward.

"The SNP Administration are committed to helping support the community through this difficult time."

SNP MSP Richard Lochhead has been in touch with the Kinloss barracks. He added: "I’ve spoken to senior personnel (at Kinloss Barracks) and they have, helpfully, said they stand ready to help in any way they can and would be keen to discuss with the local community and the council what form that may take."

Meanwhile, Conservative MP Douglas Ross has raised the issue at Westminster. He said: "I took the opportunity to raise this in Parliament to highlight the thousands of people who cross the bridge each day and how much of an impact its closure could have on businesses in the town.

"I stressed in Parliament that I hope the Scottish and UK governments can assist, as well as the council and the private sector, to get the bridge open as quickly as possible."

Photos showing the damage to the bridge, and a summary of the structural considerations which led to the decision to close it, will be published on Moray Council’s website later today (Thursday).

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