NC500 bridge work halted after tawny owl and chicks found nesting on it; Bear Scotland will now do the work on the A9’s Strathsteven Bridge north-east of Golspie from August
Roadworks on an A9 bridge have been put on hold - after engineers found a nesting tawny owl and chicks living within it.
Work to carry out structural investigations, road resurfacing and concrete repairs on the Strathsteven Bridge have now been pushed back until later this summer to give the birds a chance to fledge.
The work on the bridge, which carries the A9 over the railway next to Carn Liath Broch north-east of Golspie, will now resume on August 11 and run for five weeks.
Twenty-four hour two-way traffic lights will be in place until September 17.
Confirming the feathery reason for the delay, Bear Scotland, which is carrying out the roadworks, said: “Works on the #A9 at Strathsteven Bridge have been postponed due to a Tawny Owl nesting within the bridge. Works will restart on August 11, after the owl and her owlets have safely left the worksite.”
They continued: “This essential maintenance work was originally scheduled to commence on Monday, May 26 for five weeks. However, an occupied Tawny Owl nest was found as part of the ecology checks. The proximity of the nest to the works meant that much of the planned works have had to be postponed until the nest is no longer in use.
“This is to ensure no disturbance or damage to the nest while it is in use in line with legal requirements (Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981).”
When work resumes, engineers will be carrying out structural investigations, repairing defective concrete, replacing the bridge deck expansion joints and resurfacing the road.
Explaining the need for the repairs, Ian Stewart from Bear Scotland, said: “These works are being carried out to maintain Strathsteven Bridge and ensure that further, more extensive repairs are avoided in later years.”
“We will do everything possible to complete this essential maintenance as quickly and safely as possible. We thank all road users and the local community for their patience in advance.
“Please plan ahead by checking the Traffic Scotland website for up to date journey information and leave some extra time to complete journeys.”
Real time journey information is available from Traffic Scotland on www.traffic.gov.scot, X @trafficscotland or on the mobile site my.trafficscotland.org.