Two spans of a 140-year-old railway bridge have collapsed into the River Spey in north-east Scotland, leaving engineers investigating the damage and authorities weighing the cost of securing the historic structure.
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spans → collapse → structure
The Spey Viaduct, also known as the Garmouth Viaduct, partially collapsed on 14 December 2025, cutting off a popular walking and cycling route.
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Viaduct → know → route
Moray Council has since developed plans to remove the damaged sections safely, while the long-term future of the bridge remains uncertain amid questions about restoration costs and the condition of the surviving structure.
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future → develop → structure
The 140-year-old Spey bridge in Scotland collapsed into the river
The collapse occurred on the morning of 14 December 2025, when two western spans of the iron structure fell into the river.
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spans → collapse → river
According to The Independent, the viaduct was built in the 1880s as a railway bridge and later became a well-used route for pedestrians and cyclists.
uncertain
viaduct → accord → pedestrians
The structure was originally constructed between 1883 and 1886 for the Great North of Scotland Railway.
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structure → construct → Railway
Trains continued to use it until the railway closed in 1968.
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railway → continue → 1968
It subsequently became part of the area's walking and cycling network, connecting routes used by residents and visitors exploring the Moray coastline.
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It → become → coastline
Initial inspections by Moray Council engineers suggested that the collapse may have resulted from scour, a process in which flowing water gradually removes sand, gravel or other material from around bridge foundations.
uncertain
water → suggest → foundations
Moray Council explained that a specialist contractor's 2023 assessment had found no evidence of scour at the time.
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assessment → explain → time
However, the river's flow path appeared to have changed over the following year, potentially altering the pressure on the bridge's supporting piers.
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path → appear → piers
The exact cause has not yet been established conclusively.
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cause → establish → ?
A detailed investigation is required to determine what happened and whether the remaining structure can be preserved.
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structure → require → ?
The historic crossing remains closed to the public
The collapse prompted the immediate closure of the viaduct and the surrounding area.
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collapse → prompt → viaduct
Moray Council warned the public to stay away from the damaged structure, respect police cordons and avoid climbing onto any part of the bridge.
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Council → warn → bridge
The closure has affected an important local route.
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closure → affect → route
The viaduct forms part of the Moray Coastal Trail and National Cycle Network Route 1, while also providing access to the Speyside Way.
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viaduct → form → Way
The loss of the crossing has disrupted connections for walkers and cyclists travelling through the area.
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loss → disrupt → area
According to The Highland Times, the nearest alternative river crossing is at Fochabers, approximately 3 miles upstream.
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crossing → accord → Fochabers
The incident also prompted concern among local representatives about the loss of a familiar landmark.
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incident → prompt → landmark
Councillor Shona Morrison also expressed sadness at the collapse, describing the viaduct as a much-loved local landmark with personal significance for families in the area.
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Morrison → express → area
Beyond its practical role, the bridge represents an important part of Moray's railway history.
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bridge → represent → history
Engineers have chosen a safer method to remove the collapsed spans
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Engineers → choose → spans
Moray Council's January 2026 update outlined two possible approaches for removing the damaged sections from the river.
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update → outline → river
The first involved lifting each collapsed span out in one piece.
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first → involve → piece
However, this would require major lifting operations, create considerable safety risks because of the unstable structure and potentially cause further damage.
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this → require → damage
The council estimated that this option would cost more than £1 million.
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option → estimate → million
The alternative was to cut the damaged spans into smaller sections and remove them individually.
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alternative → cut → them
This method was considered safer for contractors, more practical given access restrictions around Garmouth and less likely to damage the surviving parts of the bridge.
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method → consider → bridge
Council officers and engineering specialists agreed that dismantling the spans in sections was the most practical option.
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dismantling → agree → sections
Moray Council subsequently moved forward with the procurement process and sought the necessary Listed Building Consent.
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Council → move → Consent
In February 2026, it confirmed that an application had been submitted for permission to remove the two failed sections.
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application → confirm → sections
The proposed work did not include rebuilding or replacing the bridge.
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work → propose → bridge
However, the removal project proved more complicated than initially anticipated.
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project → prove → ?
The Highland Times reports that the council had awarded the removal contract to TMS Ltd, a specialist marine and civil engineering contractor, following a competitive tender process.
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council → report → process
4 contractors submitted bids.
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contractors → submit → bids
The final contract was valued at approximately £806,000, substantially above the original estimate for removing the spans in sections.
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contract → value → sections
The contractor is expected to dismantle and remove the damaged material from the river before arranging for it to be taken to an appropriate recycling facility.
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it → expect → facility
Restoration costs and temporary crossing options remain under review
Removing the collapsed spans is an essential step, but it will not immediately restore the crossing.
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it → remain → crossing
Moray Council has said that a full investigation into the collapse and the condition of the surviving structure cannot be completed until the damaged sections have been removed and the site is safe to access.
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site → say → structure
…and 7 more, not listed.
The Aporia
