Moray Council has closed a popular footbridge with immediate effect after it was deemed unsafe.
The footbridge joining Lossiemouth to the East Beach is to close with immediate effect.
Following concerns raised by members of the public, structural engineers were dispatched to the picturesque but weathered crossing this afternoon to inspect it.
The council has now confirmed that a decision has been taken to close the bridge, though small, controlled groups can use it to leave the beach while it empties this evening.
The bridge had a survey commissioned by Lossiemouth Community Trust in 2017.
At that time it was deemed to be “generally structurally sound” with the advice that “significant works will need to be carried out to ensure this remains the case”.
A spokesman for Moray Council said: “The nice weather this week has understandably led to more people visiting the East Beach.
“Unfortunately, the sheer volume of people crossing the bridge has led to deterioration significant enough to warrant closure of the bridge in the interests of public safety.
“While the bridge is not the property of Moray Council we have a responsibility to keep the public safe around such structures.”
The East Beach is still accessible via Kingston but members of the public should be aware that there will be no through path via the footbridge on or off the beach.
