Shaky Bridge in the spotlight
Talks on future of popular landmark
The long- term future of Comrie’s popular Shaky Bridge is set to come under the spotlight.
Perth and Kinross Council is planning to consult with the community about maintenance of the river crossing which was temporarily closed for safety reasons earlier this year.
PKC greenspace coordinator Dave Stubbs attended a meeting of Comrie Community Council last week to advise on options for long-term solutions at the Shaky Bridge on the circular walk in Glen Lednock.
Short-term repairs were carried out on the structure this year, using adjustable steel props on parts of the sycamore tree which supports the bridge, however more work is needed to ensure the bridge remains stable.
Proposals include removal or reduction of the supporting sycamore tree – a move which is likely to prove unpopular with local people.
Outlining the proposals in a letter to the community council, Mr Stubbs noted: “For a longer term solution, decisions will need to be taken about removal or significant reduction of the sycamore tree to eliminate the risk of it failing and taking the bridge down with it.
“The engineer outlines a course of action to allow the tree to be removed and a new supporting structure put in its place on the north bank.
“This would allow the existing bridge to be retained for the remainder of its serviceable life.
“We are aware that removal of the tree will not be popular but feel that needs to be balanced against potential loss of the bridge.
“As we said back in May, we would welcome further discussion with the community council and other stakeholders about this.”
Community council chair Sandra McRitchie said: “At the meeting Mr Stubbs was asking for people’s views about the tree and there is very much a feeling that it is part of the bridge’s charm.
“It’s also part of folklore and part of Comrie’s history having been there for such a long time.
“We are likely to organise a full public meeting to discuss the options proposed by the council for the Shaky Bridge.
“But at the moment, we’ve indicated to Mr Stubbs that we should wait until the council has formally consulted with the two landowners involved regarding their position.
“Then once that’s done and all the options are finalised, we can move forward with a proper community consultation.”
Changes to the bridge are likely to be undertaken as a partnership project involving the Comrie community, landowners and PKC.
Capital spending will be needed as well as some kind of community fundraising input.
The current repair has an estimated lifespan of one year after which, as a minimum, the steel props will need to be replaced annually.
Further options for the bridge include removing the tree and erecting a support on the north bank in its place similar to that on the south bank. This is likely to take one to two years to construct and will cost around £20,000.
Alternatively, the bridge and tree could be left in place and a new bridge erected at an alternative crossing point.
This option would cost £ 75£100,000 and Mr Stubbs is seeking community suggestions as to alternative bridging points.
The Shaky Bridge could also be replaced at its current location at a time in the future when the tree or bridge fails - subject to available resources.
Mr Stubbs is also open to other ideas for the Shaky Bridge and has invited the community council to consult locally and look at which option people prefer.