Network Rail is carrying out the demolition of the rail section of Bawbee Bridge, which crosses the River Leven in Scotland and is currently underway with the preparatory stages. The work will see the abutments and deck of the road bridge replaced because of substantial deterioration alongside signs of chlorine contamination and corrosion. The work will ultimately see the removal of a long-term weight restriction on the bridge.

The bridge is located over the site of the brand new Leven station, which is being funded by Fife Council and delivered by Network Rail as part of the Levenmouth Rail Link programme.

The road is now closed for road traffic and pedestrians and the entire area has been fenced off in order to keep the community safe from the machinery carrying out the work.

Road signs and lampposts and all other street furniture are currently being removed to allow the current road surface to be lifted, as well as the removal of the bridge parapets, which are the side walls of the bridge.

The demolition of the bridge is expected to take place from Friday the 19th of May and the project finished by the end of the month. Once the demolition is complete, the replacement of the structure will get underway immediately.

A temporary footbridge which is next to Bawbee Bridge will also close whilst the work is underway. Access over the river can be gained using the footbridge across the temporary road bridge which opened recently and will support circa 18,000 vehicle movements each day whilst the demolition work takes place.

A diversionary route will take traffic from the A955/B933 roundabout via the leisure centre car park in order to cross the river using the temporary bridge. Traffic will join the existing road network at a new roundabout constructed on South Street (B932).

Sean Clemie, project manager for bridge works, said:

“With the temporary road bridge in place to maintain access across the river, we can now focus on the main task–demolition and reconstruction of the Bawbee bridge.”

“Obviously, with the main element of the work underway, we have fenced off the bridge and the adjacent temporary structure will also be out of use during the demolition for safety reasons.”

“We will prepare the structure for demolition at the weekend and after the debris has been cleared, we will immediately start work on the construction of the new bridge. From then we will enable reinstatement of the utilities – essentially putting everything that is needed back on the bridge.”