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Cloddach Bridge

Coordinates: 57°36′30.54″N 3°20′15.42″W / 57.6084833°N 3.3376167°W / 57.6084833; -3.3376167
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Cloddach Bridge
Coordinates57°36′30.54″N 3°20′15.42″W / 57.6084833°N 3.3376167°W / 57.6084833; -3.3376167
CrossesRiver Lossie
History
Opened1905
Closed2022 (motor vehicles)
Location
Map

Cloddach Bridge is a road bridge south of Elgin that crosses the River Lossie.

The bridge was completed in 1905, though it was first proposed thirteen years earlier.[1][2]

In 2001, a 7.5 tonne weight restriction was introduced. In 2019, this was lowered to three tonnes. In 2021, a 2-metre height restriction was added to help enforce the weight limits, but it was hit numerous times.[1] The bridge was closed to motor vehicles from 4 February 2022 following an inspection which revealed the poor state of the structure.[3] It was estimated that replacing the bridge would cost £2.9 million while removing it would cost £333,500.[4]

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, announced £1.5 million of funding would be provided to Moray Council to help fund repairs to the bridge, as part of his 2023 United Kingdom budget, which is expected to benefit those commuting regularly between Birnie and Forres. [5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Lawson, Hazel (2022-06-16). "Spend £333,500 to save £2.9m: Moray's Cloddach bridge expected to close for good". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  2. ^ "The new bridge at Cloddach". Northern Scot and Moray & Nairn Express. 1905-07-24. p. 6. Retrieved 2022-09-03.
  3. ^ Malcolm, Ewan (2022-02-03). "'Rapidly deteriorating' Cloddach Bridge to close on public safety grounds". Northern Scot. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  4. ^ Lawson, Hazel (2022-09-02). "Cloddach bridge closure is 'cutting communities in half' say campaigners". Press and Journal. Retrieved 2022-09-02.
  5. ^ https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1142902/Web_accessible_Budget_2023.pdf