Public meeting over bridge closures in Aberdeenshire

Inspections found failings in the Abbeyton bridge

Residents affected by the closure of two bridges in Aberdeenshire are to be given the chance to air their views at a public meeting next week.

The 170-year-old Abbeyton bridge and the nearby Fordoun bridge are both closed due to damage.

The Abbeyton road-over-rail bridge will be demolished over Christmas, when trains will not be running.

Mearns councillors are holding the public meeting in Fordoun Village Hall on Tuesday 18 December at 19:30.

There are currently no definite plans tabled to replace the Abbeyton bridge - which has structural failings - or make repairs to the Fordoun bridge, which had to close over safety concerns when the demolition of a nearby house damaged an embankment.