Lorries put 265-year-old bridge at risk
A historic bridge north of Dunblane is under threat from heavy vehicles, it was claimed this week.
Residents of Kinbuck say that they face disruption all hours of the day because of lorries and coaches that travel along the B8033 through the village and find the 265-year old Kinbuck Bridge is unsuitable for them to use.
They then have to turn back and negotiate several bends looking for an alternative route.
Carole O’Connor lives just 200 metres from the bridge, in Millbank Road, and says the size and weight of vehicles are cause for concern as they use her street to turn.
Its also claimed listed structure signage is insufficient as it doesn’t highlight that the bridge is too narrow for many vehicles.
Now residents have been left fearing that the vehicles may damage local properties, vehicles and the bridge itself.
Mrs O’Connor said:“Both myself and husband, Kim are concerned about size and weight of vehicles travelling down to the Kinbuck bridge.
“The listed bridge has been damaged before when large vehicles try to get through.
“They end up reversing all the way back to Millbank Road at all hours of the day and night. We’ve even had them reversing back up the road at 1am.
“We’ve had flat bed lorries, carrying Christmas trees. We’ve had coaches and trucks. It disturbs all of the nearby residents. Luckily so far our boundary wall, and car have not been damaged, but is it a matter of time?”
Mrs O’Connor has contacted Dunblane and Bridge of Allan councillor, Alastair Majury, to raise the concerns.
Councillor Majury said:“I have raised this with council officers and am pleased the problem will now be added to the programme for works next year.
“However, I know money is tight but surely some temporary signage advising that the bridge is too narrow to take many larger vehicles could easily and cheaply be put in place very quickly until a longer term solution is implemented”.
Stirling Council has welcomed the feedback and says it will undertake a site assessment to look at the current signage highlighting the weight limit of the bridge. A spokesperson added: “If it is insufficient then we will install additional advanced warning signs prior to the bridge to help the local residents.”
The current bridge dates back to 1752 but in 1715, 6,000 Jacobite troops crossed the River Allan around this point on their way to fight the Hanoverians at the Battle of Sherrifmuir.