Flood-hit bridge repairs finished
‘Good to be back to normal’
Work to repair the damaged bridge on the A93 at Bridge of Cally has been completed.
Heavy rain and flooding caused part of the picturesque east Perthshire bridge to collapse on October 31 last year and a large section of one of the listed structure’s parapets washed away.
The drainage vents on the bridge are thought to have been blocked by debris brought down by the heavy rain, which caused large puddles to form on the bridge and the water level to rise up the sides of the parapets.
The bridge on the A93 forms part of a key trunk road and was subsequently closed for two days while the damage was assessed and temporary safety measures put in place.
However, those safety measures narrowed the bridge, and residents reported that large coaches and trucks approaching it from the A924 road in
Strathardle were having difficulty turning on to the bridge.
The Public Contracts Scotland website lists the contractor for the work as Kilmarnock-based Aberdeen Marine Ltd and estimates the value of the project was £80,100.
Conservative Councillor for the Blairgowrie and Glens ward Bob Brawn lives next to the bridge.
He said: “Following heavy rains in October 2021, the weight of flood water caused a parapet on the bridge to collapse into the river.
“Although the bridge itself was sound, the damage required barriers and as a
result a three-way traffic light control was required.
“The bridge is a listed monument, so specialist repairs were required, and it took some time to arrange for the necessary builders to be put in place.
“Finally though, all works were completed, the traffic lights have been removed and traffic is now flowing normally.
“I would like to thank all residents and visitors for their patience while restrictions were in place – luckily very few problems occurred over the last 13 months.
“Thanks are also due to officers for organising this major project.
“And finally, thanks to Aberdeen Marine who carried out the work.
“It’s good to be back to normal.” SNP Blairgowrie and Glens ward councillor, Tom McEwan, also welcomed the news.
He said: “It’s great to see the Bridge of Cally repaired and fully open, a beautiful bridge in a great location.
“Protection of this bridge to prevent such large accumulations of water is essential going forward as maintaining this route is essential for local businesses, residents and the much-needed tourist traffic to the area.”
The traffic lights have been removed and traffic is flowing normally