Gairlochy swing bridge road closure: 13-16 May 2025
Our contractors, Fairfield Control Systems, are due to return to site at Gairlochy swing bridge on Monday, 12th May, for the final works as part of our planned winter programme to upgrade the bridge wedge system. This will involve periodic road closures from 13th - 16th May.Â
The canal will remain open for navigation.
The team will be again on site from 7.30am to 6.30pm each day, until Friday 16th May. They will need to open the bridge to access certain parts of the structure, meaning that they will be closing the road at set times each day, from Tuesday 13th to Friday 16th May. This road closure has been agreed with The Highland Council. The towpath will remain open, with no restriction to access.
B8004 road closure times
The B8004 will be closed from 9am – 12pm each morning and from 12.30pm – 3pm each afternoon. The road will be open outwith these times, to minimise disruption locally.Â
Fairfields will also be putting signage out on the ground to advise road users. While the closure is necessary, we apologise for the inconvenience caused.Â
Diversion during road closure
While the B8004 is closed at Gairlochy swing bridge, a diversion will be in place via Spean Bridge, using the A82 and B8004.
Diversion route
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What are we doing and why?
This short period of work is the final phase of our programme to install a new electrical system for the bridge wedge system – the wedges support the bridge deck, allowing traffic to safely travel over the bridge.
We have already removed the previous hydraulic wedge system. The new electrical system is designed primarily to improve reliability, and the components have a longer lifespan than the current system. In the event of a fault, the new system will also reduce the time it takes to put the bridge back into operation.Â
The new electrical actuation also offers maintenance and environmental benefits; the routine maintenance required on the bridge will be reduced, as we will no longer need to monitor for oil leaks or to change and dispose of the oil within the hydraulic actuators.
The new wedge support design is the result of our investment in developing a reliable and robust standardised system for all the swing bridges across the Scottish canal network. The implementation of the new standardised design will also provide further efficiencies across the canals, as we will no longer require bespoke components for each moving bridge or individual familiarisation for our operation and maintenance teams.
Updates
While this is a short programme of works, we are committed to keeping all local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders informed.
You can find any additional updates we may make on our Projects webpage and any important updates will also be shared on the Caledonian Canal Facebook page.
If you have any concerns during this programme of works, you can contact Scottish Canals at caledonian@scottishcanals.co.uk (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday).  Alternatively you can contact Fairfield Control Systems on 07773 592462 (8am – 5pm Monday to Friday).Â
If it is an immediate threat to property, environment or wildlife please call: 0800 072 9900