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Ben Nevis is now more accesible thanks to new bridge

The new footbridge is lowered into place in Glen Nevis
The new footbridge is lowered into place in Glen Nevis

A new bridge which will give thousands of walkers access to Ben Nevis has been lowered into place.

It is a major step forward in a project to improve accesibility in Glen Nevis.

The footbridge has been located close to the Glen Nevis Visitor Centre and replaces a previous crossing which was beginning to show its age.

The area is the starting point for the vast majority of walkers tackling the UK’s highest mountain via the tourist track.

Work in the area also involves upgrading a path to make it accessible to people with mobility issues.

Work has been ongoing for the last few months – and is due to finish in around four weeks.

The substantial new bridge was built in sections in Inverness and arrived on site on Monday this week.

After being pieced together on site, a huge crane was brought in to carefully lower it into place over the River Nevis.

Willie Lawrie, director of Fort William-based contractor Fion Construction said the new bridge “looks the part”.

He said work on the project had been progressing well and was on course to be finished before the tourist season which sees thousands of walkers travel to the area.

Mr Lawrie said: “The bridge was built in Inverness in sections and brought down on Monday.

“They’ve been building it up this week and it it was lifted into position today.”

He added: “We’re probably about four weeks from completion now. It’s all been going pretty well.”

Work on the upgraded path is just about complete, while a ramp is still to be put in place.

The project is costing around £597,000 and is being delivered by Highland Council and the Nevis Partnership.

Funding has also been secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Sportscotland and the Scottish Rural Development Programme.

The footpath, which was previously eroded in several places and overgrown with vegetation, has been upgraded to make it suitable for wheelchair users.

The new bridge has been installed closer to the visitor centre than the existing bridge which is being removed as part of the project.

The old bridge was described as being in “poor condition” at the outset of the project by the council.

A limit had been placed on the number of walkers who could cross it at any one time because of concerns about safety.