Location: Aberdeen

Date: August - November 2000

Client: Mouchel Consulting

Description: This historic bridge over the river Dee forms the main south approach route into the city of Aberdeen.

Conservation Works: The bridge conservation work was carried out during the last quarter of 2000 and tailored to minimize traffic disruption. Extensive scaffolding had to be erected across the river and underneath the bridge arches to reach critical bridge elements and a number of carved features that required the application of conservation treatments.

The scope of works included removal of vegetation, replacement of decayed stonework, consolidation of decorative stonework and extensive repointing of joints using traditional lime based mortar.

An article extracted from the Press and Journal newspaper describing the conservation work in detail is presented below:

"Bridge plaques span 470 years of history"

The Bridge of Dee has been getting a major facelift. As part of the work, stone masons have been refurbishing historic carved features, which had been in danger of fading away forever. Twelve stone heads and 25 plaques have been brought back to their former glory.

"If we left them there was a real chance that elements of the carved detail would have been lost within six months", said Nic Boyes, who headed the conservation team."There are vulnerable parts of the bridge which will now enjoy a conservation care regime and last for generations".

The £300,000 renovation scheme was carried out for the Scottish Executive, which owns the bridge and the trunk road it carries. The work included removing graffiti, re-pointing stonework using mediaeval techniques and materials, and replacing some stone blocks. Pollution was also cleaned up, including 'fall-out' from the industrial revolution.

Some of the plaques are dedicated to the building of the bridge. One commemorates the Bishop's Elphinstone and Dunbar, who were behind the building of the bridge. Another features the widening of the bridge in 1840 and a new one marks the latest work."