Ailing Ladies Bridge in Cruden Bay to be replaced

A RICKETY bridge which locals have been worried about for 13 years is finally to be replaced, it was confirmed today.

The Ladies Bridge in Cruden Bay, which is set to be replaced. Picture: Contributed

The 92-year-old Ladies Bridge in Cruden Bay, Buchan, links the ancient village with its award winning beach -- made famous in 1914 when Norwegian aviator Tryggve Gran took off from the sands in a Bleriot monoplane to become the first person to fly across the North Sea.

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The wooden footbridge has frequently had to be closed because it is in such a poor state, and there were even fears it could collapse while someone was on it, with potentially fatal consequences.

Concerns were first raised about the safety of the Ladies Bridge in 2002 and locals believe its dilapidated condition has contributed to falling visitor numbers.

Now a new crossing will be built by Huddersfield-based CTS Bridges Ltd and it is hoped it will breathe fresh life into the tourism business in time for summer. Work to construct it, using the existing bridge’s stone piers, will start in a fortnight’s time and is expected to be completed by June.

Chairman of the village’s community association Hugh McIntyre said: “It should certainly resolve a long-standing issue for the foreseeable future.”

A drop-in session to discuss plans for the new bridge will be held this Friday in Cruden Bay when the community association and officers from Aberdeenshire Council will attend.