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Daily Record
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway Council admits new Kirkcudbright bridge is 'years' away
The local authority has also ruled out installing a temporary crossing on cost grounds. A new bridge for Kirkcudbright is 'years' away. And a temporary crossing has been ruled out on cost grounds. The stark situation is outlined in a report for next week's meeting of the council's economy and resources infrastructure committee. The bridge, which is nearly 100 years old, was closed at the end of March after engineering experts Mott MacDonald raised safety concerns. It is due to reopen on July 2, allowing for cars and light vans up to three tonnes crossing the bridge in single file. Temporary traffic lights will be installed initially, with permanent lights in the pipeline. The reopening of the bridge has been welcomed by local residents, however, they are keen to see a new bridge as soon as possible. But in his report, engineering design manager Duncan McDonald states: 'Officers have started to consider options to develop an indicative cost of a new bridge as well as timescales associated with this. 'Due to the complexities of work required to develop a new bridge for Kirkcudbright, it is anticipated that this will take years, however, officers are committed to developing this and will follow due diligence in order to seek correct member approval.' The report outlines no fewer than seven stages that would need to be completed – from a feasbility study and options appraisal to finding a contractor and building the bridge. Galloway and West Dumfries MP John Cooper had called on the Army to build a temporary bridge while the main crossing couldn't be used. However, Mr McDonald says that building a Bailey Bridge – as used during World War Two – isn't practical. The width of the river would require several spans, not just one, requiring foundations to be built. That would mean riverbed and bank investigations which 'would take several months to organise and undertake at significant cost'. The foundations would also require a lengthy period of time, meaning there is little chance of a temporary bridge to be built 'within a reasonably short-term period'. Building a temporary bridge over the footprint of the existing one also has 'several major issues to be overcome and risks managed'. The report notes that Mott MacDonald feel 'after further analyses and complex modelling' they do not now feel there would be 'a significant risk to public safety' to reopen the bridge to three tonne vehicles – as long as traffic management measures are put inplace. Data indicates that 90 per cent of the 20,000 vehicle crossings on the bridge every week fall into the three-tonne car and light van limit, meaning reopening the bridge 'would see most of the travelling public either side of the Dee reconnected'.
The National
26-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Councillors consider completely demolishing Kirkcudbright Bridge
All options are currently being explored by Dumfries and Galloway Council officers, which includes a rebuild job on site – or potentially another bridge at different locations on the River Dee. Various costings and proposals are currently being investigated and a range of options will be presented to councillors in October this year. This news comes after it was revealed that the short term solution will see Kirkcudbright Bridge reopened to cars or light vans by July 2 (vehicles larger than three tonnes will not be allowed access). READ MORE: National park supporters urge ministers not to scrap Galloway proposal The issue is due to be discussed at the council's economy and infrastructure committee next Tuesday where councillors will be given a progress update. A report by Duncan McDonald, the council's engineering design manager, will be tabled at the meeting. He wrote: 'In parallel to reopening the bridge on Wednesday July 2, 2025, officers have started to consider options to develop an indicative cost of a new bridge as well as timescales associated with this. 'Due to the complexities of work required to develop a new bridge for Kirkcudbright it is anticipated that this will take years, however officers are committed to developing this and will follow due diligence in order to seek correct (elected) member approval." READ MORE: Running festival seeks 'Braveheart' athletes for race across historic Stirling sites The council was forced to close the bridge with little notice in March after a structural safety report from engineering consultant's Mott MacDonald. The move has attracted criticism from locals due to it adding time onto journeys between the merse and the town centre. Traders have also experienced a significant drop in income. Council officers are now poring over documents from a previous review of the bridge, which was conducted in the 1970s by consultants Fairhurst. Fairhurst was commission to consider various other sites for a new bridge. The council report produced for next week's committee explains: 'In their work, Fairhurst considered two primary locations for the new bridge. The first was directly over the existing bridge and required full demolition. 'A replacement temporary bridge was required to facilitate this, to ensure the Merse and Kirkcudbright communities remained connected during the demolition and construction work.'The second was upstream starting at Dee Road, spanning the Dee to the rear of the creamery (now demolished).' Councillors will now be asked to allow officers to seek indicative costs and timescales for a new bridge within this year's public realm structures capital budget. If agreed, officers will then come back with a full range of options to the full council meeting on October 2.
Press and Journal
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Plan to make Highlands 'City of Sanctuary' for refugees thrown out amidst concerns of virtue signalling
Councillors have dropped plans to award the Highlands with a 'sanctuary' designation for refugees after concerns were raised it was 'virtue signalling'. The City of Sanctuary Award is a formal accreditation process that would award the region with the status for three years. It recognises organisations 'who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.' Councillors praised the council's 'tremendous' work with refugee resettlement but ultimately did not move ahead with the award. All of the councillors made it clear they were happy with ongoing work to resettle refugees, but some felt it did not need 'another certificate.' In his proposal to drop the sanctuary award, Inverness councillor Duncan McDonald said social media had indicated the public would not have a 'positive reaction.' 'Can we achieve the same result by working alongside the scheme without signing up?' he asked. Mr McDonald previously served as a Major in the army for 34 years and spoke to councillors of his experience with army-employed Afghan civilians. He said: 'I went to the front gate in Kabul with my team with full body armour on to bring these people into the camp – I know how scared they were. 'So I understand wholeheartly what these people go through, what they went through, and what they are suffering now.' He added: 'I would propose that we continue to support the refugees in the manner that we have done for years – quietly, meaningfully and respectfully.' A Highland Council report stated their 'strong history in supporting refugees' and outlined a number of recent resettlement programmes adopted in reaction to world events. Council officer Brian Cameron said work continues at the council to support refugees and resettlement efforts 'as best as possible.' Councillor McDonald said the council did not need to 'virtue signal our support' and 'refugees do not want to be put on a pedestal.' 'We certainly do not want our citizens to perceive that they are being alienated and pushed further down the pecking order,' he added. Fellow Inverness councillor Isabelle MacKenzie added her concern the award was just a 'symbolic gesture' and asked what it would offer the Highlands. She said: 'While the intention is commendable, it is vital that this commitment goes beyond symbolism and is structurally embedded in the council's policies and practices.' Dingwall councillor Angela MacLean called the council's work 'tremendous' and said she was 'really surprised' councillors were not inclined to back the proposals. The award would cost a total of £2,100 over three years, after which the council would have to reapply. Black Isle councillor Sarah Atkin said she saw the award as a 'public recognition' for people involved in refugee resettlement programmes across the Highlands. She called for the council to not fall into 'dogwhistle politics' and said the award was a 'public recognition' rewarding the 'incredible job' behind the scenes. She added: 'Lets not forget our humanity. Social media is not everybody, it's not everything.' Inverness councillor Ian Brown 'totally supported' the idea of the council pursuing the sanctuary award. He said: 'When I get up in the morning I don't care what social media says – that doesn't make my decisions or not.' However, Skye councillor Ruraidh Stewart contested that while we should be 'welcoming' to refugees, 'We don't need to sign up to some award for that to be the case.' Councillor Stewart said the ongoing work was 'fantastic' but added: 'We don't need another certificate.' Councillors then voted to drop plans to go ahead with the award, but with the option of revisiting the idea in the future. City of Sanctuary UK are an organisation working to 'encourage inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people from a forced displacement background.' The 'City of Sanctuary' award was first given to Sheffield in 2007. City of Sanctuary say their award helps recognise organisations 'who go above and beyond to welcome people seeking sanctuary.' Perth and Kinross Council were awarded the status last year and is currently the only Scottish local authority to hold such an award. Other recipients include Lochardil Primary School, University of Dundee and Esolperth, an English language centre in Perth.
Press and Journal
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Would you charter a private helicopter to Aberdeen's Scottish Cup Final at Hampden?
With Aberdeen's Scottish Cup Final tickets completely sold out – trains, buses and roads to Glasgow are set to be pushed to the limit on May 24. Facing the stress of getting to Hampden Park, it might push some Dons fans to get creative in their travel plans to Scotland's spiritual home of football. And with packed trains and gridlocked roads all expected – it might make some football fans wish they could fly to the all-important cup clash with Celtic. But, can you? That's where PDG Aviation Services come in – offering Dons fans the chance to be taken to their cup final seat in style. They offer commercial flights from Aberdeen Airport to Glasgow 365 days a year – including on the day of the match. They are no strangers to sport either, being previously called in for 'Super Saturday' in 2018. On that day, they were tasked with delivering the Scottish League One trophy to winners Ayr United at short notice following a final day decider with Raith Rovers. They have also been involved with the PGA to assist in the Ryder Cup and with various horse racing events in Scotland. But, is it really a viable option for Aberdeen fans in a hurry to get to Glasgow? We asked PDG sales manager Duncan McDonald, 57, everything about the alternative mode of travel for the big day. We were told that fans could be lifted to the game in an Airbus B-BYZA. The helicopter can carry up to eight passengers, and can take off from the majority of helipads in the country. With the helicopter unable to land at or in the vicinity of Hampden, passengers will be dropped at the nearest heliport. The nearest port is in Govan, with the second nearest being at Glasgow Airport in Paisley. We asked how much it would cost to take three friends to the final on the day of the match. PDG estimates quoted us £7,500 in total to take us down to the game. Duncan said the price would vary depending on where people were taking off from, where they were landing and how many passengers there were. No Dons fans have yet taken up the option to fly to the match, although 'there is still time.' Fans of the club have flown to previous finals as well as to golf and racing events. Meanwhile, 1990 Scottish Cup hero Hans Gillhaus has revealed why he missed his Reds Hall of Fame induction in January. The Press and Journal has revealed plans for the Dutch icon to get up on stage alongside cup-winning skipper Alex McLeish, as well as ex-strike partner Charlie Nicholas, goalkeeping compatriot Theo Snelders and winning penalty scorer Brian Irvine next Thursday.
