Good news for Thomas Telford bridge in Moray
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Steps will be taken to sort out the ownership and future maintenance of the historic Thomas Telford bridge in Moray.
Built from 1812-1814 by the renowned engineer, the cast iron span over the River Spey at Craigellachie is now in need of maintenance work.
However, the question of who exactly owns it nowadays has been a long-running issue.
Moray Council agreed today that it would look into the matter.
The ultimate aim of this is to make it possible for a community group, The Friends of Craigellachie Bridge, to find funding to pay for the work that needs to be done.
Councillor Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) brought forward a motion to the full council, calling on the council to act.
She said: "The bridge is a source of pride in Moray.
"It's a statement to the brilliance of Thomas Telford and a monument to the industrial era.
"The costs would be far outweighed by the benefits.
"Doing nothing is not an option, as has been the case for too long."
Seconding the motion, Derek Ross (Speyside/Glenlivet, Independent) said: "This bridge is an engineering marvel.
"It's used for marketing. It's used for branding. It's even used as a photographic backdrop for politicians spouting forth.
"It's an integral part of our tourism offer here in Moray. It's in the area's DNA and it's a thing of great, great beauty."
Several councillors and council officers, while not denying that the bridge was an important landmark, expressed nervousness about the potential costs to the council if ended up as the owner.
A figure of at least £30,000 was put forward as the price of simply establishing just how much maintenance work is required.
It was also stated that a survey in 2014 had decided that the structure was not a high priority when it came to needing repair work.
Donald Gatt (Keith and Cullen, Conservative) began by saying that he spoke with a "heavy heart".
He then stated that, given the council's current financial woes, it could not be spending money large amounts of money on the bridge.
Agreeing, Marc Macrae (Fochabers/Lhanbryde, Conservative) said: "People in Moray are seeing services they hold dear under threat."
However, the councillors ultimately agreed to look into the matter further.
Graham Leadbitter (Elgin South, SNP) argued that the issue was one of "spend to save" as, regardless of ownership, it would be the council who'd bear the costs if the bridge had to be shut to the public because of its deteriorating condition.
He said: "If the bridge closed the council will be faced with having to make it secure. Then, every single week, someone will have to go there and check that it's still secure.
"It will be a continuous job of work."
The bridge formed part of the main road between Elgin and Grantown until it closed to vehicles in October 1972.
Originally half the funds for the span came from Westminster, with the rest raised through public subscriptions.
