Community ownership of Telford's 'iconic' bridge at Craigellachie takes step forward after ten year campaign

The future of Telford’s bridge at Craigellachie is looking more secure than it has for years.

Since closing to traffic in the early 1970s the historic crossing has fallen into disrepair with extensive work needed to restore it.

However councillors have agreed that the local authority should explore options for the bridge to transfer into community ownership.

And head of environmental and commercial services Nicola Moss told the meeting on Wednesday talks have already been held with an interested group.

The bridge was closed to vehicles in October 1972, and is now a footbridge and cycle path. LDRS

Friends of Craigellachie Bridge are keen to secure the future of the structure.

The group has offered to pay for an inspection of the bridge.

And members have been in touch with Historic Environment Scotland in relation to submitting an expression of interest for grant assistance for it.

Councillor for Speyside Glenlivet Juli Harris praised the group for their efforts.

She said: “Friends of Craigellachie Bridge are well established now in their tenth year of campaigning.

“The bridge restoration is key to a larger aspirational project to develop a Telford visitor centre at Fiddich Park, celebrating his work and achievements in Moray.”

Ms Harris added the bridge is an important tourist and contributes to economy of Moray and Speyside.

Paintwork on the span across the River Spey has failed and it is increasing the deterioration rate of the crossing.

It is thought a community asset transfer will enable the group to take responsibility for the bridge.

But before that can happen Moray Council will have to gain full property rights.

At the moment the local authority only has responsibility for the carriageway along the span.

However if the bridge falls into such a state it needs to be demolished, that is expected to cost the council more than £1m.

A compulsory purchase order (CPO) will be needed if the local authority takes full ownership.

That is expected to cost about £23,000 for an external solicitor to deal with the process.

Although that figure would rise if there were any objections to the CPO.

That money would be reimbursed by the friends group if they take it over.

When the bridge was built in the early nineteenth century, half the funds came from the government with the rest raised through public subscriptions.

This has caused confusion over who owns the bridge.

The single arch cast iron span was designed by renowned civil engineer Thomas Telford.

Built between 1812 and 1814, the bridge formed part of the main road between Elgin and Grantown.

It was closed to vehicles in October 1972, and is now a footbridge and cycle path.

Category A listed by Historic Environment Scotland, the bridge is also designated a civil engineering landmark by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.