A storm-battered Perthshire road bridge has finally re-opened, ending a year of travel misery for locals.
The historic Bleaton Hallet crossing near Bridge of Cally was damaged beyond repair during freak winds at Hogmanay.
Part of its structure was washed away by the sheer force and volume of the water below, causing decking to plunge into the gorge.
Digger driver Robert Brown had a dramatic escape when he drove over the bridge, moments before it collapsed.
The closure of the C446 stretch, between Alyth and the A93, has meant an 18-mile detour for many residents.
In March, the restoration plan swung into action when a huge crane was used to remove the collapsed 35-tonne structure.
Construction specialists Morgan Sindall struck a £1 million deal to design and build the replacement steel crossing.
On Friday, a ceremony was held to mark Bleaton Hallet’s re-opening. It represents the final part of major restoration work since flooding causing widespread damage across the region at the start of the year.
The council’s enterprise and infrastructure committee convener, councillor John Kellas said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank our partners for carrying out their pivotal role of removing the deck of the old bridge from the gorge in such a timely fashion.
“My thanks also go to our contractors for their efforts in not only providing a higher specification bridge on the same timescale, but also for their proactive approach in ensure that disruption to local residents was kept to a minimum by allow them the use of their temporary site pedestrian bridge, as well as facilitating the supply of bottled gas to those residents affected.”
Resident Richard Dickson welcomed the bridge’s re-opening and thanked those who made it possible.
“The council engineers did all they could to help alleviate our difficulties and understood the problems the collapsed bridge had created for our community,” he said.
“We are so impressed with the design of our new bridge as well as the total professionalism with the way the project has proceeded – not least the people working on this project who have always been cheerful and helpful in so many ways, way beyond what one would have expected.”
He added: “Helping to carry shopping and recycling matter from one car to another; wonderful communication skills in keeping us informed and asking us about our access requirements on a daily basis, ensuring minimal disruption.
“Without such support to ease our burdens over the last 11 months, our lives would have been so very much more difficult.”
The bridge collapsed as Storm Frank took its toll across the region. High winds and torrential downpours at the start of the year also saw major flooding in and around Perth, with many homes and business swamped and some roads cut off for several days.
