Bridge work will not clash says convener

There was an assurance this week that work to upgrade Stirling New Bridge would not take place at the same time as the project to replace the bridge in the city’s Kerse Road.

It came from Stirling Council environment and housing convener Danny Gibson and followed last week’s story in the Observer pointing out that plans to repair and refurbish Stirling New Bridge had been lodged with the authority.

Network Rail submitted at the beginning of January plans to replace the Kerse Road bridge, in preparation for line electrification, in a project scheduled to begin in May and last for 12 months.

Castle Ward councillor Jim Thomson told the Observer he had discussed the work on the New Bridge with council officers who expected it to get underway this year.

He was of the view that there would be“utter traffic chaos”if the work on the two bridges went on at the same time.

However, referring to that possibility at last Wednesday’s meeting of Riverside Community Council, Councillor Gibson said:“That will not be happening.

“The New Bridge is our bridge and it is up to the council when it closes or when it doesn’t.

“Should it be the case that any application gets permission, as far as I am concerned, as environmental convener responsible for roads and bridges, we will not have two bridges closing at the one time.”

Completed in 1832, Stirling New Bridge is a category B listed structure and carries the A9 over the River Forth.

It is proposed to take down and remove worn whinstone parapets , replace existing street lights with LED lanterns on cast iron columns and widen footpaths on the bridge to 1.8 metres.

A report submitted with the planning application describes the parapet’s stonework as badly deteriorating, unsightly and weakening the structure.