Path bridge inspections are 'vital and should be routine'

As the countryside makes ready for summer visitors, Smiths Gore is advising farmers and landowners that they should be mindful of their duty of care owed to members of the public.

Regular inspections of path bridges on their land should be carried out to identify any defects and minimise risk to the public.

Smiths Gore has recently undertaken an inspection programme of 91 bridges on behalf of Scottish Government agency Scottish Natural Heritage identifying necessary repairs and remedial work to bring the structures up to standard where required.

Landowners have an obligation to ensure that bridges and other structures in place to allow public access such as culverts and styles, are sound as the landowner would be liable for any harm caused by their action (or lack of it), and that risks to users are minimised.

Richard Henderson, Partner, Smiths Gore, says: "As part of the management of risks to users, footbridges, culverts and other infrastructure should be inspected regularly to ensure that they are safe.

"These inspections should be carried out by competent persons with the correct skills and knowledge, records should be kept to confirm the condition of structures, and any preventative and reactive maintenance undertaken should be recorded."