Plans to rebuild a South Lanarkshire bridge which has been closed for four years have been given the go-ahead.
At a committee meeting on Wednesday, it was announced that the Clyde Bridge on Pettinain Road in Carstairs will be rebuilt.
The bridge had to be closed in late 2018 due to significant defects.
The council has repeatedly committed to replacing the bridge but it faced unavoidable delays including issues with negotiations to purchase necessary land and tenders not following through with the project.
Council leader Joe Fagan said: “I am delighted we can now look forward to a new Clyde Bridge being built, which will reinstate an important part of our road network and see the end of what is an inconvenient diversion for road users.
“It has been a particularly frustrating time for the local people who would use the bridge most frequently, and the council has shared their frustration.
“Changing market conditions and rising costs was undoubtedly a big factor in the unsuccessful conclusion of the most recent tender process, earlier this year.
“I think it shows our commitment to supporting our communities that the council has been able to get the project back on track.”
The council has given the authority to award the contract and if the tender process concludes as planned, work could begin on the replacement bridge early next year and could be completed in one year.
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