Cairngorm road bridge to alleviate military road pressure
April 27 2020
An A-listed road bridge in the Cairngorm National Park is to be bypassed with a new road and crossing to help alleviate vehicle damage to the stone rubble structure.
As such a new Gairnshiel Bridge is proposed to be built across the River Gairn, employing a low profile design of reinforced concrete abutments clad in matching locally sourced granite with steel beams supporting a single-carriage road deck.
Detailing their approach Moxon Architects wrote: "Geometrically the bridge is defined by three key considerations: Firstly the river, which necessitates a single span crossing with a slight pre-camber.
"Secondly the requirement to maintain a slender profile in elevation. This is achieved by tapering the cross-section of the lower portion of the structure, delivering the necessary structural performance whilst making the construction depth appear thinner than it is.
"Finally the desire to create a form which balances the robust materiality of local masonry construction (as seen at the existing historic structure) with slimline, bold elements and material selection which gives the new bridge a distinct point of difference from the old."
A steeply humped single arch bridge was built in 1749 by major William Caulfield as part of a military road linking Blairgowrie to Fort George but has suffered recurring damage from increasing vehicle use.
Locally sourced granite will provide visual continuity wih the old bridge
The low slung bridge wll stand alongside its historic namesake
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2 Comments
#1 Posted by Islands of sanity on 28 Apr 2020 at 16:44 PM
There is now a real danger that the A listed bridge will be left to rot, unless it is assigned a significant use for cycling, horse riding and walking and crucially the bridge continues to on the Council’s list of adopted bridges. Can UR please clarify?
#2 Posted by Urban Realm on 28 Apr 2020 at 17:35 PM
Unfortunately only routine maintenance will be carried out. This is from Aberdeenshire Council:
'Other network priorities have since arisen and the Council’s budget cannot now fund conservation of the listed bridge on completion of the new road.
'For the time being only care and maintenance to safeguard the bridge will be carried out requiring the existing road surface to be retained. As this level of work is routine maintenance Listed Building Consent is not required.'
'Other network priorities have since arisen and the Council’s budget cannot now fund conservation of the listed bridge on completion of the new road.
'For the time being only care and maintenance to safeguard the bridge will be carried out requiring the existing road surface to be retained. As this level of work is routine maintenance Listed Building Consent is not required.'
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