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No plans to replace ‘near death-trap’ bridge on northern A9, Caithness councillor is told





The narrow bridge at Culgower on the A9.
The narrow bridge at Culgower on the A9.

A councillor has described a narrow bridge on the A9 in Sutherland as “a near death-trap” after being told there are no plans to replace it.

Matthew Reiss, the Highland Alliance councillor for Thurso and Northwest Caithness, warned more than a year ago of an “extreme hazard” at Culgower, between Brora and Helmsdale.

Last week he contacted the trunk road maintenance firm BEAR Scotland seeking an update on vegetation clearance to improve visibility in that area and also asked about any plans to replace the bridge.

“As drivers approach the Culgower bridge on the A9 from the south, scrub on the seaward side of the road restricts visibility of what I regard as a serious and previously publicised hazard, namely the bridge,” he wrote.

“The hazard is that the road narrows deceptively on this poorly signed bridge, so much so that wider vehicles cannot safely pass. May I please ask that these whins, gorse and scrub are cut back?

“This area is not in my ward but is travelled by every constituent heading south from Caithness.

“Secondly, may I formally ask what plans exist to replace this bridge and what improvement works are planned and budgeted for by Transport Scotland/BEAR for the A9 north of Tain over the next 20 years?”

BEAR Scotland told him that vegetation is due to be cut back in the week commencing November 18 but added: “Our bridges team have confirmed there are currently no plans to replace A9 Culgower Burn bridge.

“Although the bridge is narrow, the bridge has a fully compliant assessed load-carrying capacity for normal traffic loading. There are therefore other, higher-priority bridges to be replaced.”

A disappointed Councillor Reiss said: “It seems the bridge at Culgower is not due for replacement any time soon. Frankly it is a near death-trap – one misjudgement by a non-local driver will cause a potentially high-speed collision.

“In the past I have asked what long-term improvements are planned but am still waiting.”

Matthew Reiss is worried about the potential for a high-speed collision. Picture: Callum Mackay
Matthew Reiss is worried about the potential for a high-speed collision. Picture: Callum Mackay

In July this year, Councillor Reiss said that any long-term loss of part of the northern A9 would be “disastrous” for Caithness and Sutherland.

He pointed to a previous assurance that improving safety on the A9 is “a top priority” for the Scottish Government.

Councillor Reiss expressed his concerns in an email to Maree Todd, the SNP MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, nine months after writing to her on behalf of Richard Gale and Ron Gunn, who chair the Sutherland and Caithness area committees respectively.

At that time Councillor Reiss referred to a landslide under the A9 near Portgower in 2018 which resulted in the southbound lane being closed for a long spell. Landslides had also occurred at Scrabster, he pointed out, while he also highlighted his fears over the Culgower bridge.

The councillors were worried about the “immense” implications for facilities such as Dounreay, Vulcan and the Sutherland Spaceport.

Ms Todd acknowledged that A9 safety “remains a significant concern” for her constituents in Caithness. She told Councillor Reiss that she had contacted Transport Scotland to highlight his concerns and to ask about plans for any improvement schemes.


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