Highland Council working with Scottish Canals to tackle 'teething' trouble with new Torvean swing bridge over Caledonian Canal, Inverness
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OPTIONS are being explored to solve embarrassing "teething problems" with the brand new canal swing bridge in Inverness – but it won't be "fully operational" until almost the middle of August.
Highland Council said it has been working with the designers of the Torvean Bridge, which first opened to traffic on May 31, to see what "modifications" might be needed to ensure it operates as designed.
Frustrated motorists have lambasted the council for the bridge's continued troubles, after it spent most of the past two months closed to road traffic – with only sporadic periods where it was actually in use.
The bridge is designed to work in tandem with the existing Tomnahurich Bridge, with the idea being that at least one of the two crossings will always be open to road traffic at any given time. But the need for both to work together, and the intention to have them operated by just one person, have caused automation headaches – and it is understood that the safety sensors built into the system are "tripping".
The council has now revealed that it hopes remaining "snagging work" will enable the bridge to be "fully operational" by August 12.
A Highland Council spokesman said: "Mechanically the bridge works as designed, but many sensors are required to ensure it is as safe as possible for operators, and adjustment and modification of these sensors is required to allow the bridge to operate consistently in automatic mode without tripping.
"The designers of the bridge visited yesterday (Thursday). They also designed the hydraulic systems and the associated software.
"In conjunction with the designers we are considering what modifications are required to overcome these teething problems, which everyone recognises are frustrating.
"Training will also be undertaken so operatives can use the bridge as efficiently as possible. That will include Highland Council staff so we can support Scottish Canals through this process – until it becomes a one man operation as designed.
"The snagging work is scheduled to be completed by August 12 and it is hoped the bridge will be fully operational thereafter."
The spokesman added that Scottish Canals will ultimately be operating the bridge, and that the local authority is working with them to help address the issues.
Related news: Highland Council admits 'snagging issues' on new Torvean Swing Bridge behind long delays on the A82
