Closure of Cardross Bridge as major works start on 250-year-old crossing

Extensive improvement works are set to begin at Cardross Bridge and secure the future of the 18^th century river crossing.

Investment of £1.2m has been made by Stirling Council to repair and strengthen the Category B Listed bridge, which carries the B8034 over the River Forth between Arnprior and Port of Menteith.

The work will necessitate a full road closure of the B8034 for six months from Monday 9 September 2024, with a diversion route in place via Thornhill.

A written update on site progress will be issued to affected community councils on a regular basis, with a series of business and community engagement events also scheduled in advance of the work and as it progresses. 

The project, which required Listed Building Consent, is part of Stirling Council’s £6.6 million investment in its road network this year.

It is one of 72 projects taking place across the Stirling area as part of the council’s commitment to maintain and upgrade its vast road and footway network that stretches more than 1,000 km. And it comes on the back of the council completing works to Blane Water Bridge on the B834 ahead of schedule.

Contractors will remove and rebuild the bridge walls and undertake a full repointing of the stone using traditional materials. Cracks will also be repaired, with works to protect the bridge from river erosion, as well as the installation of a new bridge deck. The bridge will have a 10-ton weight limit when completed.

Cllr Jen Preston, convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, said: “The condition of the structure of Cardross Bridge has deteriorated in recent years and subsequent investigations and surveys have clarified the necessity for these works.

“The bridge dates back to 1774 and it will be repaired and strengthened sympathetic to its age and location, with engagement from stakeholders such as Historic Environment Scotland, SEPA, Nature Scot and Forth Fisheries Trust.

“We would like to thank all local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during these essential works and we will communicate with them throughout the process. All efforts will be made to re-open the road in a safe manner and at the earliest opportunity.”

A two week shutdown took place over the Christmas period.  Works did not recommence on site on 6 January, and remained paused as we awaited licence approvals, which have now been granted.  As previously detailed, a species of significant European interest has been found at the East Pier cofferdam.  As a result, all works below water level were put on hold.  

Specialist Environmental Consultants were appointed by Stirling Council, following Nature Scot approval.  Additional ecological surveys and site visits have taken place.  A Species Protection Plan, method statements and associated documentation related to species management were prepared and submitted to NatureScot before they undertook their own extensive review and approval process.

Approval to proceed with onsite works was given by NatureScot on Tuesday, 28 January and, as a result, the dam contractor has been booked to return to site from Monday 3 February. We hope that site works can proceed on this date, however, this is dependent on a suitable weather window.

To stress, if works on site had progressed without NatureScot approval and formal licencing in place, Stirling Council would have faced prosecution.

Works programmed to take place over the next four weeks:

East Pier cofferdam to be repaired following storm damage, all environmental and planning approvals for additional works obtained and all works to the Eastern Pier undertaken including erosion protection bag work, anchor installation, anchor grouting, indent repairs and vegetation removal and treatment.  Downstream copes to be removed from parapets. Scaffold to be installed across remaining spans of downstream and upstream elevations.

Overall Programme position:

Current programme end date is dependent on sustained low water level within the river, and dam contractor availability to complete the in-water works.

On site works will not be complete before Easter and as such the road will not reopen ahead of the Easter weekend. 

Due to current stability of the structure, works at the East Pier foundation need to be completed prior to progressing with further repairs to the structure.

A programme optimisation workshop took place this week between Stirling Council and the contractor. Every effort is being made to reduce programme impact through resequencing of works and resource allocation, however the programme is still dependant on a suitable weather window.  We are currently awaiting resubmission of revised programme by contractor.

The next in-person community and business engagement events will take place at Port of Menteith village hall on the below dates:

• Wednesday 29 January from 11am to 12pm
• Wednesday 26 February from 11am to 12pm

The next online community and business engagement events will also be hosted via MS Teams on the below dates:

• Wednesday 29 January from 6:30pm to 7:30pm 
• Wednesday 26 February from 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Further or alternative meeting dates and times can be arranged by request.

Anyone interested in attending is asked to email environmentandplaceenquiries@stirling.gov.uk for an access code.

Our next formal written update will be published on or before 26 February 2025.

We would like to thank all local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during these essential works.