‘Don’t back out over River Teith bridge’
Councillors fear link could be dropped
Local councillors are worried they are being fobbed off over hopes of a proposed second road bridge for the River Teith at Callander.
Included in the 125-page masterplan of £500 million worth of potential projects in Stirling Council’s City Regional Deal is a proposal for a new bridge linking Geisher Road and the A81 Mollands Road in the Trossachs town.
Callander residents hope it would open up an area close to McLaren High and the town’s leisure centre which has been earmarked in the national park’s recently-adopted development plan for a range of uses including a hotel, housing, leisure facilities, startup businesses and a riverside pathway.
However, local Tory councillors say there is an “evasive tone” being used when they have asked for a commitment to the project through the Deal from the SNP/ Labour council and at Scottish Government level.
At a full council meeting yesterday (Thursday) Martin Earl and Jeremy McDonald tabled a motion asking the council to note the work done to secure a second bridge in the town and the “significant economic opportunities for Callander and the wider rural economy into the future”.
They also asked the council to commit to continuing to work with all parties to ensure inclusion of the project as part of the Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal.
However, the motion fell after the SNP/Labour administration outvoted the Tories, Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache and independent Rob Davies by 12 votes to nine.
Councillor Farmer said it was regrettable that the two Tories had chosen to “punt their local project” when there had been a cross party consensus that politicians wouldn’t engage in such matters in relation to the City Regional Deal.
He added: “This is being discussed as part of the Deal and would have economic benefits. This is one we would seek to achieve over time. There have been advanced talks in terms of an accelerated model for Callander for this project and others that would be considered on that basis. We would be looking to deliver this over time in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Futures Trust.
“At this point it is premature and I don’t think the motion is particularly helpful. In order not to build people’s expectations we need to ensure we have a robust business case and it is not just about this project but other rural projects.
“We are committed to the bridge and a range of measures in the Callander area through a growth accelerator model. I fully realise this has been a topic of debate but this motion raises expectations of delivery and there’s still a considerable amount of work to be done.”
However, Councillor Earl said: “This project has been there ever since we have been talking about the City Regional Deal. Anyone with any interest in the economic future of Callander whatsoever is aware of this, so I think in terms of raising expectations that horse has bolted and now the grass is rapidly growing around it.”
All went on to agree instead an amendment from council leader Scott Farmer and depute leader Danny Gibson resolving to “ensure the ensuing economic benefits are accessible across both our urban and rural communities in maximising economic growth through a strong evidential base”.
Following the meeting, Councillor Earl said: “Our motion was brought forward to simply put on public record that everyone supports this part of the project and I didn’t expect the response I got from the leader of the council. I’m now really worried as it sounds to me as if all the language coming from various sources is setting the scene for this not to be progressed.”
Councillor McDonald added: “The evasive tone and language used in a written recent response to us from Minister Keith Brown on the bridge issue prompted the need to bring forward the motion to get public confirmation. It was extremely worrying we got more of the same and the leader of the council did not take the opportunity to place on record that there was unequivocal support in place.”