TWO years on from the floods that washed away a footbridge at Aberdour harbour, work could start finally on a replacement next month.

The walkway over the Dour Burn was damaged badly during the storms of August 2020 and was later removed but progress on a new crossing has been slow.

The project has been hit by numerous delays, however, planning permission was granted in March and, this week, Fife Council service manager Ross Speirs confirmed that the design of the new bridge had been finalised.

He said: "We're now waiting for final confirmation that the land agreements are in place and hope to tender the work later this month.

"All going well, work should start late August/September."

Given the short distance to bridge, it may look like a straightforward job but the council said it was a little more complicated.

They explained that the new version – a corrosion-resistant, fibre-reinforced crossing that's expected to last 120 years – would have a larger span to help it withstand the effects of climate change.

Conservation area consent was also required to take down small sections of the existing boundary walls to accommodate the increased span.

Lynn McGonigal, who is on the Aberdour Festival committee, told the Press previously: "It’s coming up for two years and we thought they’d have replaced it by now.

“It’s not a very big gap and I’m not sure why it’s taken as long as it has.

“It’s stopped a lot of people from walking down there and it’s affected the businesses, such as the Room with a View restaurant, too.

“I’m sure somebody locally could have done it but the council say it’s a certain type of bridge and that’s why it’s taking so long.”