Work to safeguard a vital link between two North East coastal towns is due to conclude this month.
Aberdeenshire Council has been carrying out the work on Banff bridge since October with four sections of three-metre high masonry so far in place to protect its piers from erosion.
The final phase, which will install a two further cutwaters to reduce the turbulent flow of the River Deveron, is scheduled to begin on December 8.
The bridge links Banff to Macduff, with residents of both towns relying on it as part of the A98 Fraserburgh to Banff road.
SNP Councillor John Cox, who represents Banff and District, described the work as “vital” for the community.
He added: “Hopefully this will be the end of the works for some time. It quite clearly demonstrates the importance of Banff bridge.”
Meanwhile, a spokesman for the local authority apologised for any inconvenience caused by the work which will take place over five days.
He said: “A single lane system will be in operation using three-way traffic lights, but this will be restricted to off peak times to minimise disruption.
“As the works can only be done at and around low tide, the duration of the traffic lights will be further restricted and will only be in place for around three hours during each day to coincide with low tide times between 9am and 3pm.”
SNP Councillor Hamish Partridge, who represents Troup, last night called for the coastal protection programme to be extended throughout the north-east corner.
He said: “Certainly, that’s one thing I see – we do need to continue protection works along that coastline to save the A98 being washed away.”
Storms had previously damaged land near the bridge so badly that a section, popularly used by boat and marine animal watchers, had to be closed.
Since then, the local authority has been in consultation with landowners to protect and re-open the land.
In May, councillors had approved a £120k budget allocation for flood and coastal protection works in the Banff and Buchan area.13