Moray Council engineers have confirmed what caused the collapse of a iron girder viaduct that failed on 15 December.
Garmouth Viaduct (also known as Spey Viaduct) made national news when it collapsed into the River Spey to the west of Inverness. Pictures on social media showed part of the listed 290m bridge, which carries long-distance walking and cycling trails, lying in the fast-flowing river.
The wrought-iron lattice bow girder span as it lies in the River Spey. Credit: Moray Firth Council
After an initial inspection, council engineers report that the collapse was caused by scour. A 2023 specialist report indicated no sign of scour, and it is thought that the river flow path has changed. A scheduled council inspection in May found scour on the east span and erosion on the embankments. This was a visual check, with no inspection of the bridge’s underwater sections. The council is now commissioning a detailed inspection and assessment from a specialist engineer.
Moray Council will consider the future of the crossing in the new year. The collapse of the structure, which is well used by active travellers, has generated strong feeling locally.
The viaduct was constructed between 1883 and 1886 to carry a single-track railway over the river and its floodplain. The Spey at the time ran in three channels but it was diverted into one channel so that it could be crossed using a viaduct with embankment approaches.
