Repair bill for historic Inverness footbridge could rocket after councillors failed to back a move to get the cash for urgent work now the Infirmary Bridge may close
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A move to provide immediate funding so the cost of vital repairs to the historic Infirmary Bridge was thwarted at the Inverness city committee last week.
A report on the issue stated that no budget has been allocated to fix the bridge and the recent deterioration of the bridge’s timber decking means that it may have to be closed in the near future amid safety concerns.
The minimum repairs envisaged at the moment include replacing the timber deck, timber cross bracing and all loose or sheared connections, improve drainage, steel plating to strengthen connections and partially repaint the bridge to prevent corrosion.
The deterioration of the bridge has meant that the bill to put it right has already hit £550,000 – Councillor Andrew Jarvie fears that if left for much longer that could rocket further.
He brought an amendment calling for the city committee to recommend seeking the funding from the next full council meeting as a matter of urgency but it was defeated sparking fury from the Conservative group leader.
"I am just astonished that the overwhelming majority of Councillors voted down my amendment to use some of the millions underspent in the current capital plan,” he said. “A replacement should the bridge completely fail would be 8–10 times the current repair cost, the longer this is left the more it will cost.
"I am just aghast that the outcome of this meeting is to do nothing and have a seminar to discuss it. Talking about it will fix absolutely nothing, it is an utter joke.
"This bridge is such a key part of the city and the report set out quite clearly that it is likely to close if it isn't repaired. When there is so much unspent in this year, it feels ludicrous to give it warm words and do nothing.
"Walking and cycling has never been more important but again the Council has the completely wrong priorities. It thinks some green splodges on Millburn Road are more important than keeping a key cycleway open.
"This repair bill will only snowball and delaying to wait for some grant which may never come could see the cost increase by more than any grant."
