Man charged after late-night collision closes Brechin Bridge

Drivers face lengthy detour as structure shut so damage can be assessed

A male driver has been charged with motoring offences by Police Scotland after a late-night accident caused Brechin Bridge to be closed.

The accident took place at 11.20pm on Wednesday and the bridge was subsequently closed so the extent of the damage can be assessed.

It is the second time the bridge has been damaged this year.

An accident in February caused a large section of masonry to fall into the South Esk. That crash involved a single car and it is understood none of its occupants were injured.

Traffic calming signs were subsequently installed.

The bridge and A933 main road to Arbroath remained open after February’s collision but was closed after this latest incident.

A council spokesman said: “We have been required to close Brechin Bridge after it was further damaged as a result of a road traffic incident late last night.

“Police Scotland alerted us to the incident at 11.30pm.

“Diversions are being put in place from Kinnell crossroads (A933) via the A934 to Montrose and back along the A935.

“A bridge engineer will be attending to fully assess the damage and the repair works that are required. The parapet of the bridge was previously damaged by a vehicle in February.”

Significant repairs to the bridge were included in multi-million-pound works as part of the town’s flood prevention scheme last year.

As a part of this a section of the wall on the south approach to the bridge was rebuilt.

Remedial work to the surface water drainage system on the south approach has been carried out, as well as the resurfacing of the bridge deck and its approaches.

A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland attended at Brechin Bridge, East Mill Road following a report of a road traffic collision at about 11.20pm on Wednesday.

“The male driver of the car has been charged in connection with road traffic offences and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”

We have been required to close Brechin Bridge after it was further damaged as a result of a road traffic incident late last night

Pictures: Kris Miller. A workman on the bridge as work continues to assess the damage.