Black Isle bridge repairs completed

Repairs to a listed masonry arch bridge on the Black Isle have been completed on time and within  budget. 

Henrietta Bridge,  in  Avoch, suffered serious damage and partial collapse in the  severe winter of 2009/10,  forcing The Highland Council to close it to the public, pending work to establish the viability and likely cost of repair. 

Following investigations of the structure,  which dates from around 1830,  the Council  opted  to rebuild the collapsed corner/spandrel of the bridge ,   and to  carry out  other much-needed improvements to the structure.   

The works included masonry repairs to the arch, spandrel wall and parapet. New backfill to the arch and drainage were also installed.  The construction cost was £91,000. 

Listed Building Consent was required, imposing specific conditions on the work to be done. Working with contractor McGregor Construction (Highlands) Ltd,  and Historic Scotland,  these conditions were discharged and works started 15th August 2011. 

Work is now complete and the bridge has reopened to public use, with a  protective weight limit of 3 tonnes,  providing a link between the Fishertown and Henrietta Street.

 -ends-