Transport / Half a million funding boost for Burra bridge maintenance
THE SCOTTISH Government is giving the council around £500,000 for work on the Burra bridge.
The funding will go towards bridge maintenance and painting, which was already planned.
It is coming from the Scottish Government’s local bridge maintenance fund, which has just awarded money to 19 councils across the country.
Chairman of Shetland Islands Council’s environment and transport committee chairman Ryan Thomson said: “The SIC had already committed to undertake essential maintenance on the Burra bridge so this fund is extremely welcome in making sure that happens as soon as practically possible.
“I anticipate further information during the environment and transport committee meeting next week.”
Scottish public finance minister Tom Arthur said: “I am pleased that this funding will help rebuild or maintain key local bridges where alternatives routes are either not available at all, or involve an unacceptable level of inconvenience if they have to close.”
The Burra bridge, as well as the Trondra link, recently celebrated its 50th birthday.
It meant residents were no longer reliant on travelling to and from the Shetland mainland by boat.
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