Spey Viaduct to be surveyed
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A SCENIC bridge in Moray might be in line for a major overhaul.
No trains have crossed over the viaduct on the edge of Garmouth since the railway closed in 1968.
However the picturesque bridge, which stands on the Moray Coastal route, has become highly popular with ramblers as well as dog walkers.
Built across the River Spey between 1883-86, the structure is now showing definite signs of wear and tear.
Its metal foot boards have rusted and, in parts, worn quite thin.
Therefore, a couple of years ago, Moray Council laid hard boarding down the middle third of the structure to give people a safer surface to walk on.
Now the local authority has stated it intends to inspect the whole structure within the next 15 months to establish if more needs to be done.
If necessary, the national lottery and other outside bodies would be contacted to fund the work.
MSP Richard Lochhead has been pressing for the structure to be properly maintained, along with others in Moray such as Craigellachie Bridge.
He said: "I think we all want to see this unique bridge near Garmouth preserved for the future, as well as the other wonderful old bridges we have in Moray."
David Bremner, one of the ward councillors for the area, agreed.
He said: "It's like a lot of things – the longer it's left, the more it's going to cost in the end to make it right again."
