Final piece of flood scheme jigsaw is slipping into place

 

Bridge is lowered into place (Amy Cruickshank)

Another major element in the £86million Elgin flood alleviation scheme was put in place on Wednesday.

A new pedestrian and cyclists bridge over the River Lossie is the final piece of major infrastructure ahead of the scheme’s completion in the Spring.

The 25-metre single span decked bridge links the Bishopmill area with Elgin town centre and is a replacement for the old bridge that stood on the south end of Bridge Street.

Fabricated by Huddersfield-based CTS Bridges, the installation of the 30-tonne structure will now be completed by the creation of 10 utility ducts to carry electricity, gas and telecommunications.

The bridge, which is scheduled to formally open next April, is slightly arched and the parapets will be painted red to match the distinctive colour of the old parapets which have been dismantled and will be relocated nearby along a new cycleway being created by the river.

Councillor George Alexander, who chairs Moray Council’s flood alleviation sub-committee, said the installation of the new bridge and associated works represented one of the last major elements of the overall scheme.

He added: “The end of the project – the biggest flood scheme ever built in Scotland – is now in sight.

“The heavy rain that we had back in August showed that the scheme does what it was intended to do and that is to save families and business owners from the heartache of flooding.

“They have had more than their share of that in the past and they will be both delighted and relieved to see the Elgin scheme coming to a conclusion.”

(Video courtesy Amy Cruickshank)

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