A contractor has been appointed to carry out long-awaited repairs and refurbishment to a historic footbridge in Tain.
The Alexandra suspension bridge has been closed since 2011 because of safety concerns about its condition.
The B-listed structure, which spans the River Tain and links Tain Golf Club with the foreshore, is in need of extensive refurbishment.
The 110-year-old structure’s steelwork is suffering from severe corrosion and one of its hanger rods has become disconnected.
Now Highland Council have appointed Linwood-based company Maclean and Speirs to carry out a major refurbishment of the crossing.
The works will involve a full investigation of the foundations of the bridge.
The contractors will also be given permission to disassemble and refurbish bridge components as deemed appropriate in order to extend the bridge’s lifespan.
The contract is worth £189,450 – although total costs for repairing the bridge could rise to £342,450.
Highland Council have sought support from Historic Scotland while remaining money has been committed from the Tain Common Good Fund.
Councillor Jamie Stone, Tain and Easter Ross, said he was “delighted” that the bridge will be refurbished – and said that the structure has been need of repair for more than 12 years.
He said: “I remember it being a concern umpteen years ago during my first spell as a councillor.
“It’s a pretty historic structure named after Queen Alexandra and is much loved by the town.
“I’m delighted and relieved that we are going to do something thorough to get it back into shape.”
Helen Ross, senior ward manager for Tain and Easter Ross, said the contract was part of the overall project to restore the bridge – and that work could start as soon as the end of April.
The bridge, which spans 141ft, is a decorative, wire-rope suspension bridge.
It was manufactured in 1902 by the Rose Street Foundry, Inverness.