Motorists warned of Cantray Bridge closure

The Highland Council is notifying motorists that Cantray Bridge near Croy will be closed indefinitely to all vehicular traffic from 12 noon on Thursday 13 January.

The bridge across the River Nairn carries the unclassified road U1196, which connects with the B9006 at its northern end.

The decision to close the bridge has been taken by the Council’s Transport, Environmental and Community Services who identified deterioration in the condition of the bridge, and have acted on subsequent investigations by their structural engineers.
 
A structural survey has shown that the outward lean of the downstream side walls and parapet has reached a point of potential instability and that there is now a significant risk of collapse of the parapet and side walls on that side.
 
The Council had hoped that the bridge might remain open to light vehicles but as the bridge is so narrow there is no opportunity to channel traffic away from the weak area and therefore no option other than to prohibit all vehicles.
 
Physical measures to prevent vehicles from crossing the bridge are being put in place, including road signage warning of the closure.  Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained, along the west side of the bridge.

Considerations are being made as to whether the bridge can be brought back into full use and the work that would be required to enable this. A detailed inspection report is currently being prepared by the Council’s Structures Section.
 
Residents in the immediate area are being notified directly by the Council.