The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Big worries for in village over
Businesses and local politician urge council to look at issue urgently
An Angus bridge closure could badly threaten a village’s summer trade, according to locals.
The Gannochy Bridge at the entrance to Edzell will be shut for five weeks from July 3 for essential repairs.
And there are now big worries the closure will hit local businesses at the height of the summer tourist season.
Sheila Martin, owner of the Tuck Inn on High Street, questioned the timing of the closure, which she fears could lead to poor summer sales and even job losses.
She said: “I’m sure I’m not alone in that my business depends on good summer sales to get us through the winter and enable me to keep and pay the staff during harder times.”
She has urged Angus Council to keep disruption “to an absolute minimum”.
North-East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said the closure of the bridge will have “an enormous detrimental impact on local businesses”.
He admitted there is “no good time” to carry out repair work but described the timing – during the busiest months and at the height of the holiday season – as “particularly insensitive and poorly considered”.
He said: “Without that income the local area could be disastrously affected.”
Mr Kerr has now urged Angus Council to consider overnight working or opening the bridge when work isn’t being carried out.
Angus Council chief executive Margo Williamson said the risks were too high to carry out the work before the summer period.
However, she said workers will try and minimise the duration of the works period and open the bridge whenever possible, including overnight and weekends.
A council spokesperson added: “This work is essential and must take place as soon as possible.
“Unfortunately, it was not possible to carry out this work earlier due to concerns from the contractor carrying out this work in winter months.
“We hope to keep the road open as much as possible and diversion signs to Edzell and other areas such as The Retreat will be in place during any road closures.”