Faults hit new £10m swing bridge 'more frequently than 1938 crossing'

A Highland councillor says a £10m swing bridge on the Caledonian Canal in Inverness appears to be affected by faults more often than an 88-year-old crossing next to it.

The Torvean Swing Bridge, which was opened in 2021, has been closed to road traffic for two weeks.

Earlier this summer, it was closed for about five weeks following an oil leak.

Councillor Alex Graham said: "There are problems intermittently with it much more frequently than the adjoining Tomnahurich Bridge which was installed in 1938."

Highland Council said it was liaising with a specialist contractor on timescales for repairs.

It is understood there is an issue with a sensor on the bridge.

The Torvean and Tomnahurich swing bridges are on the A82 through Inverness.

The crossings have been set up so that one is available to road traffic while the other is open to boats on the Caledonian Canal.

Torvean Swing Bridge was added as part of road improvements on the west side of the city.

Alex Graham, Scottish Liberal Democrat councillor for Inverness West, said: "I think it's been a problem from day one.

"There were issues very shortly after it opened."

He suggested the problem could be due to "sensitive" modern components.

Tomnahurich Swing Bridge continues to operate normally. It was closed for about a week in 2023 after warm weather caused its metal to expand.

Angus MacDonald, Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, said the fault had come during the peak summer tourist season when traffic in the city was a "nightmare".

He said he could not understand why Highland Council did not have a timescale for repairs.

"It really does need sorting," he said.

Highland Council said it had sought help to get Torvean Swing Bridge back into service.

A spokesperson said: "We are continuing to liaise with the specialist contractor on timescales for repairs to be completed and we will provide an update as soon as we can."