Dumfries and Galloway MP calls for Army to build temporary Kirkcudbright bridge
John Cooper has asked for Army engineers to build a temporary bridge after Dumfries and Galloway Council closed the existing crossing due to safety fears.
A call has been made for the Army to build a temporary bridge in Kirkcudbright.
Dumfries and Galloway Council closed the existing crossing to vehicles in March after engineering experts expressed concerns about the crossing’s structural integrity.
That’s left people living in The Merse facing a lengthy detour to get to and from the town centre.
With First Minister John Swinney ruling out extra cash for any repair or replacement work, Dumfries and Galloway MP John Cooper is calling for Army engineers to build a temporary bridge over the River Dee.
He said: “It’s an awful inconvenience for so many, with people facing a 14-mile round trip from the Merse to the town centre on back roads while the bridge is shut.
“The tourist season is underway and we’re going to see more caravans and motor homes on our roads.
“Dumfries and Galloway Council is hard-pressed financially and while they’re doing all they can, the bridge will be shut for some time.
“The First Minister is said to ‘be aware’ of the issue – he’s also aware of the dreadful state of the A75 and has done nothing there either.”
The Tory MP has now written to Secretary of State for Scotland Ian Murray asking if the Royal Engineers could put up a temporary bridge.
He added: “Requests for what’s called military assistance to civilian authorities go through the Secretary of State for Scotland, and so I have suggested to Ian Murray that the Royal Engineers – specialists in things such as bridge building – might be deployed to Kirkcudbright.”
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Kirkcudbright Bridge is nearly 100 years old and earlier this year the weight limit was reduced in a bid to ensure it could still be used safely.
However, it was closed with little notice in March after engineering consultants presented their initial findings into the condition of the bridge.
A further report is due to go before the council’s economy and infrastructure committee in June.