A recycled bridge?

A FORMER Swedish Army bridge was recently purchased and installed in a Dumfries and Galloway forest for less than £80k.

And the news from Forestry and Land Scotland begs the question: Could something similar not be done in Annan to replace the washed away footbridges?

The chairman of the group which was formed to help assist in reinstating bridges over the River Annan says he gets asked similar questions all the time.

And, while Stuart Thompson will look further into the work carried out by Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS), he explained that it may not be as simple as that.

“That question has been asked on many occasions. But, there’s all the health and safety, environmental and legal processes to follow. Our hands are tied. And there’s nothing we can do until we get the feasibility study,” said the Tale of Two Bridges chairman.

The registered charity was set up by members of the community to assist in replacing River Annan footbridges which were washed away in October 2021 following extreme weather.

Currently the group are awaiting the release of a feasibility study assessing all the possible replacement options for the sorely missed Diamond Jubilee and Cuthbertson Memorial bridges. In the meantime they are unable to make much progress.

FLS had purchased the ex army bridge from a specialist company that deals in army surplus, split it in to two and used it to access areas of forest due for harvesting operations and re-stocking.

The ‘two’ new bridges in Wigtownshire were purchased and installed for less than £80k.

Stuart added: “Obviously it could be a great solution – but who would sign it off? That’s where the council engineering department come in.

“We have had tremendous support from them so far (and Amey), they have supported us right through the process and hopefully

we will get support going forward.

“The bridges that we replace will hopefully stand the test of time and be there in another hundred years.”

The Annan bridges feasibility study is expected any day now. It will include many important details including suitable locations for replacement crossings. And having it in hand will allow the group to start chasing up various funding avenues.

Stuart said: “In regard to the Annan bridges, there’s very strict health and safety procedures that we have to follow.

“We are just now waiting for the feasibility study to be published. That will be a very comprehensive document. Until we get that we cannot do anything.”

At the end of the month the group are set to meet for their AGM. The meeting on Thursday May 29 – 7.30 pm at The Anglers – will be the first since they acquired Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) status.

Stuart hopes anyone interested can make it along, he said: “We would welcome as many people as possible to come along to the AGM.

“We would welcome input from new members and support going forward.

“I think we are at a very interesting stage. We are getting the feasibility study then it’s a case of focusing on funding.”