Scottish Water debunks rumours of damage to historic Edinburgh bridge after fake image spreads on social media
The fake image showing damage to Regent Bridge is believed to be AI-generated.
Scottish Water have debunked claims that improvement works in central Edinburgh have damage to a historic bridge after a fake image spread online.
At least one image was shared to social media showing what appeared to be extensive damage to Regent Bridge, underneath the current ongoing Scottish Water works on Waterloo Place.
The image, now known to be fake, showed huge cracks in the facade of the bridge.
After they were posted to social media, some members of the public voiced their concerns that the ongoing upgrade and repair works for sewage and water network underneath Waterloo Place has caused the extensive damage.
However, it has now been confirmed that the images were fake and no damage has been identified on the bridge.
A Scottish Water spokesperson said: “We are aware of some misinformation online, with an image circulating on social media which appears to show a crack on Regent Bridge. We can reassure people that this image does not reflect the current condition of the bridge.
“Monitoring is in place as part of our work at Waterloo Place and there has been no indication of structural movement associated with our works.”
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Scottish Water also confirmed that no excavation or work on the water main has been undertaken at this specific location to date.
Improvement works on Waterloo Place began in September and are expected to take three months to complete.
Waterloo Place has been closed to all traffic since work began, with a diversion route in place between Calton Hill and the junction with Leith Street.