Council workers are busy just now reinforcing the bank where the wee bridge over the Elsick Burn in Newtonhill used to be.

The bridge had to be removed as it was no longer safe. It had been closed to traffic for some months now but was still in use by walkers. However, more heavy rain had undermined the structure so that pedestrians were in danger as it could collapse at any time. Fencing was put up to close it completely.

The engineers told me this morning that people were still crossing it, moving the barriers.

With Storm Babet due to bring heavy rain our way tomorrow and Friday, the bridge had to come down before it fell down. The cracks in the structure were getting bigger.

Engineers had hoped it would have been a solid stone bridge, but no. It was a facade of stone with earth behind. Fine in the days of horse and cart, but not now. The stone used in its construction are being placed along the riverbank to protect the embankment from being washed away, along with stone from one of the council’s quarries.

So what next? There are a few options. It could be replaced by a modern road bridge, but that’s expensive and there are many bridges already on the list of those needing repaired or replaced across Aberdeenshire.

Or a footbridge could be put in place, but that would be a tad awkward to say the least for the one householder on that road who currently faces a difficult manoeuvre through an emergency access into St Anne’s Wynd. Maybe the turning circle could be made better?

I’m glad I don’t have to make that decision.

By the way, I hear that Councillor Mel Sullivan was at the site this morning to see what’s what. Here is a link to her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057426603901