Rhoda Grant calls on Highland Council to reverse Naver bridge postponement decision
Highland Council is being urged to re-think its decision to stall a multi-million project to replace a north Sutherland bridge.
Highlands and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is calling on the authority to give the green light to the £8.7 million scheme to replace the 142-year-old Naver Bridge, which crosses the River Naver near Bettyhill on the main A836 road.
North councillors halted the project on budget grounds just prior to it going out to tender and with a huge amount of preparatory work costing thousands of pounds having already been undertaken.
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The authority indicated the postponement would be for up to a year but has given no exact time frame.
Mrs Grant said she had been contacted by constituents in the area concerned about the safety of the existing bridge, which was opened by the Duke of Sutherland in 1881.
Local people say they are worried that the structure could deteriorate further and point out that any potential closure would adversely affect communities.
Mrs Grant said “I know from recent press reports that communities are extremely disappointed with the decision and have very real fears about the safety of the existing bridge which remains in a perilous condition.
“There are concerns about the timing of the decision to defer the replacement when thousands of pounds have already been spent on the preparatory work for the new bridge.
“With building costs increasing almost daily due to Brexit and the cost of living crisis, it is not prudent, in my opinion, to shelve the planned replacement bridge at this point.”
She continued “I support the communities who want to see the work on the new bridge begin as planned and I have contacted Highland Council to add my voice to the call for the decision to defer the work to be reversed.”