Drivers using the A9 Cromarty Bridge are being advised to allow extra time for their journeys when a five day inspection begins on Monday 31 August.

BEAR Scotland will carry out the work on behalf of Transport Scotland, with temporary traffic lights operating while teams inspect the condition of the bridge.

The inspection is scheduled to run from Monday until Friday 4 September, with work taking place each day between 9.30am and 3.30pm.

Temporary traffic lights will be required to protect both the workforce and people travelling across the bridge.

The traffic management will be manually operated in an effort to keep delays to a minimum.

Motorists are nevertheless being advised to allow additional time for journeys while the inspection is underway.

The work is intended to provide engineers with an updated assessment of the condition of the A9 Cromarty Bridge and help determine what maintenance or other work may be required in future.

BEAR Scotland has consulted relevant stakeholders ahead of the inspection in an effort to minimise disruption.

Richard Cook, BEAR Scotland’s North West Bridges Manager, said:

“This inspection is key to reviewing the condition of the A9 Cromarty Bridge and informing future works.

“The works have been planned to minimise disruption to road users and the local community as far as possible.

“Traffic management will be manually operated to minimise delays, however road users should allow additional travel time.

“We would ask road users to fully comply with temporary speed limits to ensure our workers can go home safely to their families each day.

“We thank the community in advance for their patience and understanding while our teams carry out this essential inspection.”

The programme remains dependent on suitable weather conditions and could therefore change if conditions prevent the inspection being carried out safely.

The Cromarty Bridge carries the A9 across the Cromarty Firth and forms a vital part of the main northbound road connection between Inverness, Easter Ross, Sutherland and Caithness.

Even relatively short periods of traffic management can therefore affect a considerable number of journeys across the north Highlands.

For drivers travelling between Monday 31 August and Friday 4 September, the practical advice is straightforward.

Expect temporary lights between 9.30am and 3.30pm and leave a little more time for the journey.