Sectional removal planned for collapsed spans of Spey Viaduct

Moray Council has confirmed plans to remove the collapsed spans of the historic Spey Viaduct from the River Spey in sections, allowing a detailed investigation into the structure’s failure in December.

The 139-year-old iron viaduct, also known as the Garmouth Viaduct, was fully closed after two western spans collapsed into the river on 14 December. The structure had carried walking and cycling routes and is a listed heritage asset.

Following a review of two removal methods, the council has selected a strategy involving cutting the fallen spans into smaller sections and removing them incrementally. According to the council, this approach reduces safety risks, limits the likelihood of further damage to the remaining structure, and is more practical given restricted site access through Garmouth. The cost of the works is estimated at approximately £500,000.

An alternative option, which involved lifting each span out in a single piece, was ruled out due to the requirement for heavy lifting operations and the increased risk posed by the instability of the remaining structure. That approach was also expected to cost more than £1 million.

Moray Council stated that Listed Building Consent will be sought before work begins, with Historic Environment Scotland and other regulators already indicating support in principle. Tenders for the removal works are expected to be issued in early February, with on-site works to follow approval.

Once the collapsed spans are removed, a detailed investigation will assess the cause of the collapse, the condition of the remaining structure, and the feasibility of reinstating the viaduct. The council has previously indicated that scour, potentially linked to changes in the river’s flow path, is the principal suspected cause.