Aboyne Bridge update 18.12.23

As we confirmed last week, a tender was issued for structural consultancy advice and we await responses from interested parties.

This vital element of investigatory work into the concrete disintegration in the structure’s top deck will help us to consider all options for Aboyne Bridge.

However, the 84-year-old bridge is of a novel design with some complex articulation which is complicating the assessment.

Aboyne Bridge is a seven span reinforced concrete structure, constructed between 1938 and 1940. The bridge has seven spans in total, with five flood spans, which are reinforced concrete arches. The span to the north of the dee is also reinforced concrete with an arched roof.

It’s important to make clear that it will take time for the consultants to get up to speed on the issues affecting Aboyne Bridge in the new year before they are in a position to provide a possible timeline for their appraisal and testing plans.

From our own initial investigations, however, it’s clear that the bridge is in a very poor condition and that the cost of any reconstruction or replacement will be significant and a budget will first have to be identified.

Discussions with local community groups around the setting up of public meetings are continuing, however while we await the appointment of a structural consultant, there are no scheduled works on Aboyne Bridge other than the regular winter maintenance programme and our next update will be early in the new year.

We would once again take this opportunity to thank the communities of Birse, Aboyne and surrounding areas for their patience and understanding during the current closure.

A reminder that Aboyne Bridge – which carries the B968 Bridgeview Road over the River Dee – remains in use for pedestrians, cyclists and other non-motorised forms of transport only, and it is our hope that this can continue for the long term. 

The diversion for vehicles is via Dinnet Bridge (B9158 road).