Calls have been made for the government to step in and offer a north-east council which is potentially facing a £3 million-per-day headache.
The 170-year-old Abbeyton bridge near Fordoun was closed in July and is due for demolition.
But fears have been raised that this could prompt the emergency closure of the East Coast Main Line running beneath it, costing Aberdeenshire Council as much as £3m every day.
Last night West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MP Andrew Bowie and and North East MSP Liam Kerr wrote a joint letter to transport secretary Michael Matheson urging him to intervene.
They wrote: “The condition of the bridge has to be monitored in case of further deterioration and it is possible that the bridge may become so dangerous that an emergency closure of the rail line would be required.
“This would have a significant cost to Aberdeenshire Council which they can ill-afford.”
And added: “This bridge must be replaced as swiftly as possible so as to minimise further disruption to the rail network, local business and residents.
“The consequences of a failure of the Scottish Government to lend local support at this time could be devastating to this area.”
Politicians call for urgent help to ease Aberdeenshire Council’s bridge fears
