Bridges blow
The Diamond Jubilee and Cuthbertson Memorial bridges were swept away during record river water levels in October 2021.
However, Dumfries and Galloway Council has this week told Annan A Tale of Two Bridges (ATOTB) – a volunteer working group to assist with the process of rebuilding the bridges – that the issue is ‘no longer a council project’.
And, if a future bridge is a built, that they ‘do not intend to assume maintenance responsibilities’.
Following the council’s shock announcement, and with a recently completed £60k feasibility study estimating the cost of a single standard replacement crossing to be £2.6m, ATOTB believe their chances of replacing the bridges are now in jeopardy.
They have called a public meeting on Tuesday, March 3, at 7 pm at The Anglers, where they hope to encourage the council to change its decision.
It would be entirely possible for the bridges group to explore funding avenues, hire a project manager and even end up with a new footbridge.
But, they say problems would arise over ongoing maintenance, inspection, ownership and insurance.
Chairman Stuart Thompson said: “We are devastated, we are three and a half years down the line and have got this response from the council.
“What I would say, however, is the engineering department have been nothing but supportive and helpful navigating us through the processes.
“If they said right from the start they could deliver the feasibility study but not maintain it and that there would be a question mark over
ownership, it would have been absolutely clear in our minds.”
Stuart added: “We want a bridge to improve mental health and wellbeing. We are working our socks off.
“We cannot do that without the support of the general public. We need them to support us.”
Responding, a council spokesman said the local authority would continue to support the group in an advisory capacity.
He said: “Following the completion of the publicly funded feasibility study into potential replacement footbridges across the River Annan, the council can confirm that this work marked the end of the support previously agreed with ATOTB under the legal agreement established in 2023.
“As the former bridges were not council assets, were not situated on council land and did not carry adopted public roads or adopted footpaths, the project is not a council led capital scheme.
“The council’s role was to support the community group to progress a feasibility study, which has now been delivered.
“During discussions with ATOTB in 2023 it was confirmed that while officers would assist with the technical feasibility stage, the council could not commit to adopting, maintaining, inspecting or insuring any future bridge that it doesn’t own and does not carry an adopted public road or adopted footpath.
“This was also reinforced through the feasibility study.
“The council recognises the ambition and effort of the ATOTB Group and remains committed to supporting them as they take forward the next stage of their project.”
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Mundell: ‘The council is letting down Annan’
DUMFRIESSHIRE MP David Mundell has called on Dumfries and Galloway council to ‘step up’ and ‘reverse’ its decision. He said: “The council is letting down Annan and particularly the people who have worked so hard to develop the new bridge proposals, by refusing to test and maintain it. “It’s especially galling at a time when they are proposing squandering tens of millions on an unwanted flood scheme in Dumfries. “Instead, the council and South of Scotland Enterprise should be supporting the inclusion of the Annan Bridge project in the Borderlands Growth Deal, which still has unallocated cash. “I’ve raised this possibility in Parliament and directly with Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill, but it will only be possible with council and SOSE backing. That’s why I have written to them calling for both of them to do so. “Other funding options might be available, but for the long term sustainability of the project, the council still need to step up to the mark and take responsibility for maintenance of the new bridge and so I call on them to reverse this unacceptable decision” South Scotland MSP Craig Hoy added: “I will be seeking to find out who made this decision and why? In the meantime, having raised this issue at Holyrood recently, I will ask the Scottish Government what part it can play in making good on John Swinney’s commitment to support the restoration of these important Annan landmarks.” The Scottish Government previously provided £33,000 to the council to help recover the remains of the bridges and £50,000 for an options appraisal. Asked if they could help, a spokeswoman said: “Local authorities are independent bodies, and it is for them to decide how to manage their budgets and infrastructure based on local needs and priorities.”- If you have any ideas or points you would like the group to raise at their meeting email [email protected]
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