Road clear for dream wedding

MSP and Courier thanked for help, as council says bridge repairs will not hinder big day

A bride-to-be’s dream of being driven to her Mearns wedding in a vintage car has been given the go-ahead.

Hannah Turner’s mum, Sarah, has thanked The Courier and North East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr for saving the day.

The impending five-week closure of the Gannochy Bridge in Edzell from July 3 for essential repairs was to put the brakes on Glasgow-based couple Hannah Turner and Sam Doig’s transport arrangements.

The five-minute journey to and from the church from Hannah’s Edzell family home in vintage wedding cars would have involved a nine-mile detour if the bridge was closed – something deemed too big a risk to be allowed to happen.

Mum Sarah took the fight to get the bridge opened on the big day to Mr Kerr and The Courier, and she has now been given the news she hoped for.

She said: “Thank you so much for your help and support. I’m delighted at this decision. Now we know the bridge will definitely be open on the day of the wedding we can confirm all our travel arrangements for the bridal party and guests, and know that we will be able to use the beautiful, vintage cars.”

Hannah said: “We are thrilled with the outcome. We can now just enjoy the run up to our big day.”

It is understood that traffic lights will be set up where practicable to allow the road to be open to vehicles outwith working hours and at weekends. This includes the weekend of Hannah and Sam’s big day.

Mr Kerr said: “This is fantastic news for the family involved and I hope that the wedding will now go off without a hitch. Angus Council deserves credit for showing some much-needed flexibility in the plan for vehicle restrictions.

“I said previously that there would be a negative impact on local businesses if the closure was not managed properly.

“There is never going to be a perfect time but with these changes there will still be weekend and evening access for vehicles, which will make a considerable difference to residents and visitors alike.”

The bridge closure will still impact on local businesses at the height of the summer season, when footfall is at its highest in the village.

Sheila Martin, owner of the Tuck Inn, previously questioned the timing of the closure, which she fears could lead to poor summer sales and, ultimately, job losses.

Angus Council chief executive Margo Williamson has said the risks were too high to carry out the work before the summer period, but they will seek to minimise the duration of the works period.

Hannah Turner and Sam Doig, above, will get the wedding of their dreams, which had looked to be under threat, as we reported this month, above left.