A Fife footbridge damaged when a cherry-picker crashed into it last month could be closed for some time to come.
The West Mill overpass, which crosses the A911 Glenrothes to Leven road near Markinch, will have to be made safe before it is reopened.
Fife Council said a second report would be required to assess what work needs done before contractors are brought in.
The council’s lead officer in structures asset management Mike Loftus said, “The original report on the West Mill bridge identified it as unsafe and the damaged section was removed as a result.
“Transportation services is now expecting a second report from consultant engineers at the beginning of next week, which will identify what options are available to either repair or replace the bridge.
“Following this report we will be entering the procurement process and it is our aim to replace this footbridge for the benefit of local residents as soon as we possibly can.”
Glenrothes MSP Tricia Marwick called for the council to get the bridge reinstated as soon as possible.
She said, “The West Mill footbridge is popular and allows many of my constituents living in Markinch to access Glenrothes and its large industrial estates in Eastfield and Bankhead without having to take the longer route through Alburne Park or along the main road via the Tullis Russell roundabout.
“It also allows many Woodside and Glenrothes east residents to easily access Markinch railway station on foot.
“While it is impossible to predict such an accident as a heavy goods vehicle colliding with this footbridge it is vital that this important walkway connecting two of our towns is repaired and then reopened to the public as soon as it possibly can be.”