Urgent notice: Bridge closure

Bridge:  Monessie Gorge Suspension Bridge

Location: River Spean, near Roybridge 

Grid reference: Landranger map sheet 34 Grid Reference NN 299-811

With immediate effect the Monessie Gorge Suspension Bridge (location details above) is closed to all public access. Following a recent structural survey this bridge is deemed unsafe and is now closed. Jahama Highland Estates recognises the importance of the suspension bridge for pedestrian access across the River Spean, and is assessing options for repair in order to ensure the provision of safe and secure long-term public access.

 Questions and Answers:

• Who can I can contact for further information? For all queries please email: highland@jahamaestates.com

• How long will the bridge be closed for? The bridge will likely be closed for several months. Jahama Highland Estates is working on a solution, which requires additional investigations by structural and design experts. The next stage is to ascertain whether the bridge requires refurbishment or replacement.

• Who owns the bridge? The south bank is on land owned by Jahama Highland Estates. The north bank is on land owned by a third party.

• Will alternative temporary footbridge crossings be made available? Unfortunately this is not possible due to the nature of the gorge and the significant constraints involved in bridging it.

• How will access be restricted? Signage will be put up in place on both banks and a physical barrier will be installed to prevent access. 



• The bridge has been there for years, why is this happening now? Since taking ownership, JHE (part of the GFG Alliance) has been working to identify and correct a vast range of problems with the dilapidated infrastructure and assets we inherited across the landholding. This is a major part of our proactive, sustainable management strategy and requires significant, ongoing capital investment. Our regular whole-estate bridge audit identified potential issues with Monessie bridge that required a further expert survey. We have just received this survey report, which recommended that the bridge be closed with immediate effect while further structural investigations are carried out.