Project Outline:
B844-010 Kilninver Bridge in ÓûÂþɬ is a single, 15m span masonry arch structure which carries the B844 over the River Euchar. Due to its narrow 2.8m width between parapets and its alignment (particularly on the eastern approach) it is subjected to repeated parapet impacts from larger vehicles and suffers from a number of parapet defects. Bulging spandrel walls have been monitored since around 2012 when maintenance works to repair them were carried out.
The bridge has been subject to masonry defects in its spandrel walls and parapets since 2012 and monitoring has recorded that minimal changes occurred until October 2023, when a weather event caused severe damage to the bridge’s eastern abutment. Emergency Repairs were carried out at that time to encapsulate the damaged abutment in a substantial concrete repair. Monitoring has continued since then and evidence of further movement was recorded on 19 June 2025. Following an emergency engineering review the decision has been taken to protect the bridge by implementing vehicular restrictions and undertaking emergency repairs.
Friday 27/6/25 update
There will be overnight closures between 21:00 and 06:00 from Wednesday 2 July to Monday 7 July. Emergency access will be maintained during the night closures.
The closures will will allow us to install steel plates across the affected area of the bridge. Our intention is that this work will allow us to remove vehicular weight restriction on the bridge. Traffic management will remain for the rest of the works.
Please note: It will not be possible for to cross the bridge until the works are fully complete.
Thursday 26/6/25 update
Work continues at pace to strengthen the B844 Kilninver Bridge. This is a vital piece of infrastructure supporting communities in Ardmaddy, Seil, Easdale, and Luing so we are doing all we can to maintain continued safe access.
We have just completed the installation of a manned traffic light system at the bridge which has allowed us to raise the vehicle weight restriction from 7.5 to 18 tonnes from 16.00 today.
We are also working towards raising the weight limit to 44 tonnes by the end of next week. To do this we will need to introduce night-closures which will allow us to install steel plates across the affected area of the bridge. Emergency access will be maintained during the night closures. Our engineers will continue to monitor the integrity of the bridge throughout these works and we will advise should the situation change.
We are doing all we can to support our communities and businesses as we carry out this necessary work over the summer and we thank the local community and travelling public for their continued patience during these vital works.
Tuesday 24/06/2025 Update:
- Procurement work is underway to engage a specialist contractor with a suitable level of expertise and availability for immediate site works
- It is currently expected that the specialist contractor will be onsite in the next 24 hours
- A traffic management arrangement will be implemented by the specialist contractor to ensure the safety of the travelling public and to provide short term protection to the bridge structure until strengthening works are completed
- The bridge will be restricted to 7.5t MGW vehicular traffic until strengthening works are at a stage which allows this to be increased and/or removed. This is currently expected to take around 8 weeks
- Works to protect the bridge are currently expected to comprise:
- Installation of tie bars through the bridge and spreader/waling beams along the spandrel walls
- Injection of grout to bridge’s internal structure
- Formation of a reinforced concrete relieving slab on the bridge deck
- General masonry repairs to key elements of the bridge
Spandrel bulge on Kilninver Bridge.
Wide view of spandrel bulge on bridge.
