A Moray footbridge that was declared dangerously unsafe will be partially dismantled in an attempt to discourage people from using it.
The crossing to Lossiemouth’s East Beach was shut in July last year after part of the 100-year-old structure buckled under the weight of sun-seekers.
However, despite barriers being erected to prevent access, people have been continuing to use the footway – with some vandals even taking bolt-cutters to break through to reach the sands.
Concerns had been growing that more beach-goers will attempt to use the crossing in the coming days due to the warm weather.
Now Moray Council has confirmed that work will begin to remove a span of the walkway to deter people from using the bridge.
Council leader Graham Leadbitter said public protection needed to be treated as a priority to prevent serious injury.
He said: “There is great concern that further and rapid deterioration will occur, particularly on the centre spans, with weather and pedestrian use.
“If these centre spans collapse into the river below we could be dealing with a tragedy, which can be avoided by taking this action.”
Staff from Moray Council will remove one of the central spans from the bridge over the coming weeks.
A project to design and build a replacement crossing, which will be financed by the Scottish Government, has already been commissioned but remains in the early stages, with a contractor still to be appointed.
Mike Mulholland, chairman of Lossiemouth Community Council, backed the decision to remove a section of the wooden structure.
He said: “It would be a tragedy if it were to collapse when someone is walking across.
“This is fine with me as a way to remove the temptation of people choosing to risk it.”
