Salmond in bridge promise

First Minister Alex Salmond has pledged to ease congestion at anotorious North-east bottleneck.

The country's leader has said improvements to the InveramsayBridge are a top priority.

Gordon MSP Mr Salmond criticised the previous Liberal Democrat administration for not doing work to the bridge, which carries therailway between Aberdeen and Inverness.

The bridge has been a source of frustration for motorists on thetrunk road near Pitcaple.

It weaves through a tight bend along a single carriagewaycontrolled at both sides by traffic lights.

Aberdeenshire councillors were today due to discuss plans toremove the Inveramsay obstacle.

SNP leader Mr Salmond has now renewed an election pledge where hevowed to put the bridge on the government's improvement programme and"get the job done".