£850,000 inspection of bridges

PERTH’S landmark bridges are being given an £850,000 check-up.

Engineers are using a heavy duty machine to inspect Queen’s Bridge.

An underbridge platform vehicle allows workers to climb below the crossing and carry out examinations.

The operation is scheduled to continue for nearly two weeks.

Councillors have already budgeted £400,000 for the inspection.

A further £235,000 check-up will be carried out at the Old Perth Bridge at a future date, while another £212,000 has been set aside f or general repairs.

A local authority report revealed nearly £50,000 of unplanned maintenance work was carried out on both bridges last year.

The latest assessment has been timed to ensure minimum disruption for motorists.

A Perth and Kinross Council spokeswoman said the inspection and testing works to the underside of Queen’s Bridge were expected to last until Friday January 19.