A new bridge which will give people of all abilities access to Ben Nevis, the UK’s tallest mountain, is under construction.
Highland Council awarded the contract for the crossing over the River Nevis to Fion Construction Ltd, based in Fort William.
The contract is worth an estimated £597,361.
Located at the Glen Nevis Visitor centre, the bridge replaces the old structure nearby, which will be removed.
It will be capable of accommodating the high visitor numbers experienced at this popular site.
The existing bridge at the youth hostel is upgraded. The riverside path between the visitor centre and youth hostel will be upgraded to provide an all-abilities riverside walk.
This project is being delivered by Highland Council and Nevis Landscape Partnership, and is funded by The Highland Council, Heritage Lottery Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Scottish Rural Development Programme and Sport Scotland.
During construction works, temporary diversions are in place in order to maintain access to Ben Nevis at all times.
Essential safety information will be provided a the bridge for those intending to tackle the Ben.
In addition to investment in the bridge, Highland Council is also contributing £35,000 to refurbishment of the visitor centre which will provide new and informative displays including vital mountain safety information for those venturing to the summit of Ben Nevis.
Councillor Audrey Sinclair, chairwoman of the Planning, Development and Infrastructure committee, said: “Ben Nevis, as the UK’s highest mountain, attracts thousands of visitors to Lochaber 12 months of the year so it is important that we provide people with the best and safest experience possible.
“These improvement works will enable a far wider range of visitors to enjoy the lower-level scenery and splendour of the glen and, at the same time, provide essential safety information and guidance for anyone climbing higher in the Nevis Range. It is a great example of good partnership working and I’m particularly pleased that to complement the improvements outside, we are also allocating funds to provide more information and displays within the popular Visitor Centre.”
