Urgent repairs to close Brunel bridge to traffic

THE historic bridge to Balmoral Castle on Royal Deeside is to be closed to traffic to allow urgent repairs to the structure.

The wrought-iron bridge across the River Dee, linking the hamlet of Crathie on the main A93 road to the Royal Family’s holiday home, is the only bridge in Scotland to have been built by the legendary Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Aberdeenshire Council announced yesterday that the A-listed bridge is to be closed to traffic for three weeks to allow temporary “propping” measures to be implemented. The work will begin on 13 October.

A council spokesman said: “The work, close to the Queen’s Deeside holiday home, is necessary due to prolonged exposure of timber to surface water run-off. During the works, the bridge will be closed to all vehicles between 9am and 5pm.

“Pedestrian access will be maintained, but there will be some short periods during the day when this will not be possible for safety reasons.”