Residents in a north-east village will find out next week if a historic footbridge can be saved from destruction.
Aberdeenshire councillors will consider the fate of Newburgh’s North Bridge at Tuesday’s Formartine area committee.
Officials are recommending the demolition of the crossing.
The issue was due to be discussed at the last meeting of the committee in March, but members deferred their decision so further public consultation could take place.
The bridge – one of three across the Foveran Burn – was gifted to Newburgh by one of its most famous sons, Captain Thomas Fiddes Spalding, in 1902.
A council inspection in January 2015 found the structure to be in “very poor” condition, with corrosion noted on its steel beams and cracks in its concrete supports and platforms.
It has remained closed since then.
Locals claim the crossing has been allowed to fall into disrepair since Aberdeenshire Council took over its maintenance in the 1990s.
Yesterday Glen Douglas, secretary of Foveran community council said: “It is still the wishes of the community council and the residents of Newburgh that this historic bridge donated to the village by Thomas Fiddes Spalding is maintained.
“In the last 19 years not one penny has been spent on the maintenance of the bridge.”
Stephen Archer, director of infrastructure at Aberdeenshire Council, said: “As stated the north bridge is currently closed and will remain so until a decision is made on its future.
“The current condition of the bridge would require significant investment to allow the bridge to reopen. Any repair would only be a temporary fix and eventually major works would be required on both the piers.”
He estimated a minimum repair cost of between £65,000-£75,000 for an extra one to three years of use, with a full repair cost of £200,000 to extend its life span by a further 15-20 years.
The bill fo replacement footbridge has been estimated at between £400,000 and £500,000.
Mr Archer added: “The demolition of the current structure is considered the only viable option in this case.
“It is considered that the removal of the north bridge, while unfortunate, will not have a significant effect on the residents and visitors of Newburgh.”