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Bridge replacement campaign seeks council commitment

Lori CarnochanBBC Scotland News
BBC Two men standing at the end of a concrete path at the site of where a bridge used to span the river. The river, brown in colour, is shown with trees and greenery to the sideBBC
The bridges were destroyed during heavy flooding in October 2021

A group set up to rebuild two Annan bridges washed away when river levels reached a 50-year high has criticised the council over its failure to commit to taking ownership of any replacement structures.

Campaigners from Annan - A Tale Of Two Bridges (ATOTB) have been working to identify potential funders to replace the Cuthbertson Memorial Bridge and the Diamond Jubilee Bridge, which were destroyed during heavy flooding in 2021.

However, they need a council commitment to adopt and maintain any new bridges.

The council part-funded a feasibility study into the creation of two new crossings but said it was ''not required to undertake maintenance or accept liability'' for the structures.

Louisa Currie A black and white dog walking over the Diamond Jubilee bridge towards the camera with its left ear perked upwardsLouisa Currie
The bridges were popular with people walking the Annandale Way

The group handed over a petition at Annan Town Hall, with almost 3,000 signatures, calling for the council to rethink its position on ownership and maintenance.

Louisa Currie is one of the campaigners and said the council's stance was stalling efforts to proceed to the next stage of the project.

She said: ''All we're asking from the council is for them to sit around the table with us and look at ways to move forward.

"We're planning on funding the bridges ourselves and having them built but we do need a commitment from the council that they will adopt them."

When the bridges collapsed in October 2021 after water levels reached a 50-year high, there was a strong outpouring of dismay from many of the townspeople in Annan.

''I was absolutely devastated and the shock around the town was deeply felt by all of us," Currie said.

"They are a huge miss to the town."

Neil Sharkey A black and white image of a young boy with his feet standing on either side of the railings of the Diamond Jubilee bridge Neil Sharkey
The group behind the campaign said that the townspeople have a deep affection for the bridges with generations of families enjoying walks over the River Annan

The group claims that when exploring funding options, one of the stipulations was to provide details surrounding future ownership and maintenance plans for the structures.

It said that without a guarantee from the council to take responsibility for the bridges, the plans were unable to progress.

A spokesperson for Dumfries and Galloway Council said: "We recognise the aspirations of the Annan community to see any path over a replacement bridge forming part of the council's core paths plan.

"The council is committed to working with the ATOTB group and will be meeting with them soon to develop a letter of support to enable the group to continue with confidence."