Saturday, April 20, 2024
NewsScottish NewsMotorway bridge safety check after JCB crash

Motorway bridge safety check after JCB crash

SAFETY experts will examine one of Scotland’s busiest motorway bridges after an accident involving a lorry carrying a JCB.

A chunk of concrete was knocked out of the M9 bridge near Edinburgh in the accident yesterday morning (Thu).

The impact, which also appeared to have buckled part of the steel frame, knocked the JCB off the lorry and resulted in the closure of the B800 road beneath between Kirkliston and Newbridge.

The giant vehicle, owned by Fife-based Grant Construction, came to rest on its side against one of the bridge supports.

Transport management firm Amey who are responsible for the management of the road sent a structural engineer to the scene to assess the damage to the bridge.

No-one was injured in the accident, which happened at 8.40.

No-one was available for comment from Grant Construction.

Amey spokesman Findlay Robertson: “We have sent a structural engineer to assess the damage to the bridge to see whether the B800 would need to be closed.”

Mr Robertson said based on what they knew it was unlikely the motorway would have to be closed.

That stretch of the motorway carries recently-merged traffic from Stirling and the Forth Bridge, making it one of the busiest in Scotland.

Police Scotland said: “We can confirm that an accident occurred at 8:40am on the B800.

“A low loader carrying a JCB struck the bridge at the M9. The JCB was dislodged from the lorry and the so the road is closed northbound to facilitate with the recovery.”

 

Related Stories