Bridge bosses look at new ways to cut down on suicide attempts

Tay Road Bridge chiefs are looking at new ways to try to cut the number of suicide attempts there after a string of incidents in the past year.

Stewart Hunter, chairman of the road bridge board, has revealed work is going on to investigate ways to stop people harming themselves or ending their lives by jumping from the crossing.

The move was revealed amid concerns for a man seen falling from the bridge into the Tay on New Year’s Day.

Mr Hunter said: “We are currently undertaking research looking at what methods are used elsewhere to stop this happening.

“We are aware other cities have adopted methods that have been successful and we are monitoring those.”

Mr Hunter said there were already CCTV cameras along the bridge, which are monitored 24 hours a day.

He added: “There are trained people who monitor these cameras.

“They are obviously looking out for road traffic incidents, but they are all also trained to be on the lookout for anyone walking along the bridge who may give cause for concern.

“They work closely with the police, who are contacted immediately and get involved straight away.”

Cities around the world have explored various ways to prevent deaths at locations such as bridges and train stations.

Last year officials in San Francisco installed a net beneath the Golden Gate Bridge, while in Ann Arbor, Michigan, steel fences are being installed on top of multistorey car parks.

A spokesman for the Broughty Ferry lifeboat said crews had been called out 19 times to assist police with concerns for someone on or around the bridge in the past year.

The spokesman said: “The majority of our callouts in the past year have been to deal with concern for someone at the bridge.”