Walkers at Wick’s riverside are now able to apply grit to the potentially slippery approaches to the two Coghill footbridges during icy weather.
Grit bins were supplied to Wick Paths Group as a safety measure courtesy of local firm Subsea 7 and they have been put to good use during the recent wintry spell.
The move was welcomed at Monday night’s meeting of the Royal Burgh of Wick Community Council.
Allan Bruce, vice-chairman of both Wick Paths Group and the community council, said: “The grit bins have now been positioned at either of the Coghill bridges. We have to thank Subsea 7 for that.”
The two bridges were upgraded by Wick Paths Group volunteers in 2020. The work included replacing rotting deck timbers and clamps for railing supports, laying a new non-slip fibreglass walkway and painting the railings.
In a recent social media post, Wick Paths Group reported: “The anti-slip surface put on the Coghill bridges back in 2020 by the paths group has been a great success but the concrete entry and exit points have always carried a risk of slips and falls.
“Thanks to a generous donation by Subsea 7 of grit bins, the group has arranged for these to be filled and positioned at each end of the two bridges. This was done in December just in time for the current cold spell.”