Closure of Cardross Bridge as major works start on 250-year-old crossing
Major works start on 250-year-old crossing
Extensive improvement works are set to begin at Cardross Bridge
Extensive improvement works are set to begin at Cardross Bridge and secure the future of the 18th century river crossing.
Investment of £1.2m has been made by Stirling Council to repair and strengthen the Category B Listed bridge, which carries the B8034 over the River Forth between Arnprior and Port of Menteith.
The work will necessitate a full road closure of the B8034 for six months from Monday 9 September 2024, with a diversion route in place via Thornhill.
A written update on site progress will be issued to affected community councils on a regular basis, with a series of business and community engagement events also scheduled in advance of the work and as it progresses.
The project, which required Listed Building Consent, is part of Stirling Council’s £6.6 million investment in its road network this year.
It is one of 72 projects taking place across the Stirling area as part of the council’s commitment to maintain and upgrade its vast road and footway network that stretches more than 1,000 km. And it comes on the back of the council completing works to Blane Water Bridge on the B834 ahead of schedule.
Contractors will remove and rebuild the bridge walls and undertake a full repointing of the stone using traditional materials. Cracks will also be repaired, with works to protect the bridge from river erosion, as well as the installation of a new bridge deck. The bridge will have a 10-ton weight limit when completed.
Cllr Jen Preston, convener of the Environment, Transport and Net Zero Committee, said: “The condition of the structure of Cardross Bridge has deteriorated in recent years and subsequent investigations and surveys have clarified the necessity for these works.
“The bridge dates back to 1774 and it will be repaired and strengthened sympathetic to its age and location, with engagement from stakeholders such as Historic Environment Scotland, SEPA, Nature Scot and Forth Fisheries Trust.
“We would like to thank all local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during these essential works and we will communicate with them throughout the process. All efforts will be made to re-open the road in a safe manner and at the earliest opportunity.”
Work undertaken since 29th January
Due to adverse weather, which has caused high water levels, works did not recommence as planned on site on 3 February. The dam contractor did return to site on that date, to undertake liner preparatory works.
Due to dam contractor’s availability, works to reinstate the dam at the south pier (pier 1) only recommenced on Monday 17 February. Stirling Council’s appointed, and Nature Scot approved, specialist ecologist oversaw the dam contractor works and undertook ecological works. Fisheries undertook electro fishing as required. Dam installation was completed on Tuesday afternoon.
Masonry evaluation works were carried out on the south pier (pier 1) on Wednesday. It was determined that 19 stone indents need to be undertaken due to the poor condition of the pier. This number is slightly more than anticipated. Indents above water level at pier 1 were also repaired last week.
Parapet and cope removal along upstream elevation also commenced last week. Extreme care and consideration is being taken so as to ensure stone can be reused and to prevent against unexpected collapse.
Scour protection works also commenced at pier 1 last week.
Heavy rain overtopped the dam on Thursday. It has now been determined that dam repair works are required to be undertaken prior to works within the dam area recommencing.
Weekend working took place this weekend, with works focusing on the continued take down of parapet and copes along the upstream elevation. Material deliveries also took place over the weekend.
Anchoring works and masonry repair works, above water level, are taking place this week.
Works programmed to take place over the next 4 weeks
Dam contractor to return to site and repair dam. Masonry repair, anchoring and scour works to be finalised at pier 1. All in water working to be completed. Removal of dam to take place and installation of remainder of main scaffold to take place. Removal of downstream parapet and cope to take place.
Overall Programme position
On site works due for completion late May 2025.
Bridge to remain at a fixed road closure for the full duration of the works, with no planned partial or night-time reopening due to health and safety risks.
Community Engagement
The next in person community and business engagement events will take place at Port of Menteith village hall on Wednesday 26 March from 11am to 12noon.
The next online community and business engagement events will also be hosted via Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 26 March from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Our next formal written update will be published here on or before 26 March 2025.
We would like to thank all local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during these essential works.
Work undertaken since 26 February
The dam contractor returned to site on Monday 3 March to repair the cofferdam at the south pier (pier 1). Stirling Council’s appointed, and Nature Scot approved, specialist ecologist oversaw the works. Fisheries undertook electro fishing as required.
All repair works to pier 1 have now been competed, this includes masonry repairs and anchor installation below the waterline. The number of stone indents (replacement stone sections) required increased due to hidden failures within the stone being identified during the course of the works.
All Scour protection works to pier 1 have also now been completed.
Parapet and cope removal along upstream elevation has also continued on site. Extreme care and consideration is being taken so as to ensure stone can be reused.
Road excavation has also commenced over span 3 (Port of Menteith side).
Dam removal has now taken place and scaffold installation across full length of structure has commenced and will be ongoing until 28 March.
All in water working is now complete.
Works programmed to take place over the next 4 weeks:
Scaffold will be fully completed. Coring of mid arch will take place. Cope removal across downstream elevation will take place, followed by take down of downstream parapet and spandrel. Full carriageway excavation to take place. Repointing of upstream parapet and spandrels to take place. Bridge deck concrete pour to take place.
Overall Programme position:
On site works due for completion late May 2025.
Bridge to remain under full road closure for the duration of the works, with no planned partial or night-time reopening due to health and safety risks.
Community Engagement:
The next in person community and business engagement events will take place at Port of Menteith village hall CAR PARK on the below dates:
- Wednesday 23 April from 11am-12pm.
The next online community and business engagement events will also be hosted via MS Teams on the below dates:
- Wednesday 23 April from 6:30pm-7:30pm
Our next formal written update will be published on or before 23 April 2025.
We would like to thank all local residents and businesses for their patience and understanding during these essential works.
Work undertaken since 26 April
Deck excavation works are now complete.
Upstream repointing works are near completion.
Repointing of arches and upstream parapet and spandrels are still ongoing.
Rebuild of downstream spandrel wall is ongoing.
Arrival of additional new masonry on site.
First concrete pour to backfill was completed on 13 May, with a further one scheduled for later this week.
Patching works to B8034 on the Arnprior side have been completed.
Works programmed to take place over the next two weeks:
Patching work to the B8034 on the Port of Menteith side is now scheduled to take place from Monday 19 May. Local access will be permitted at all times. White lining works on Arnprior side of the bridge will take place on 15 and 16 May. Other scheduled work includes:
- The completion of concrete backfill pours
- Spandrels nearing completion and the start of parapet builds
- Finalisation of masonry details and the beginning of site clear up.
Overall Programme position:
Additional repair works identified during excavation works have resulted in the contractor programme being extended until mid-June.
An accurate reopening date will be shared once critical concrete pour activities near completion. This is likely to be week commencing 26 May.
Community Engagement:
The next in-person community and business engagement events will take place at Port of Menteith village hall car park on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday 14 May (11am-12pm)
- Wednesday 28 May (11am-12pm)
The next online community and business engagement events will be hosted via MS Teams on the below dates and times:
- Wednesday 14 May (6:30-7:30pm)
- Wednesday 28 May (6:30-7:30pm)
Please use the link below to join online engagement meeting on Wednesday 14 May:
Microsoft Teams
Meeting ID: 342 904 954 600 2
Passcode: eD9Ha3Vh
Dial in by phone
+44 20 3321 5273,,554949191# United Kingdom, City of London
Phone conference ID: 554 949 191#
Work undertaken since 14 May
Upstream repointing works are near completion, all repointing up to current Scottish Water pipe location now complete.
Repointing of arches is near complete.
Rebuild of downstream spandrel walls is complete and parapet rebuild is ongoing, as well as repointing of localised areas.
Concrete pours for bridge backfill took place on Friday 16, Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 as planned, with further concrete pours taking place this week.
Installation of Scottish Water pipe through duct took place.
Patching works to B8034 on the Port of Menteith side took place.
White lining of Arnprior side was delayed to prevent interference with concrete deliveries.
Works programmed to take place over the next week:
- Scaffolding adjustment to facilitate ongoing masonry works
- Removal of upstream Scottish water pipe and associated repointing
- Reinstallation of history plaque
- Final concrete pour scheduled for Thursday 29 May
- Waterproofing of new deck
- Tarmac of carriageway
- Commencement of site clear up
Overall Programme position:
Additional repair works identified during excavation works have resulted in the contractor programme being extended until mid-June.
Our contractor has given us a reopening date for the bridge of Monday 16 June.
Community Engagement:
Our next formal update to our mailing list will take place on or before 4 June.
The next in-person community and business engagement events will take place at Port of Menteith village hall car park on the following dates and times:
- Wednesday 11 June (11am-12pm)
The next online community and business engagement events will be hosted via MS Teams on the below dates and times:
- Wednesday 11 June (11am-12pm)