Deeside bridge bolt thieves branded reckless by police

Police have described the theft of bolts from a safety barrier at a new Aberdeenshire road bridge as reckless.

Four bolts were found to have been removed at the Jubilee Gairnshiel Bridge on the A939 near Ballater during a recent inspection.

They were taken sometime between October 2023 and February 2024.

Police Scotland has appeal for information and said the removal increased the risk to drivers if there was a collision on the bridge.

The crossing over the River Gairn, named in honour of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee, opened in August 2023.

It was built to take traffic away from the 270-year-old, grade A-listed Gairnshiel Bridge a short distance downstream.