Moray Council: Iconic Thomas Telford bridge in need of repair – but who owns it?
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An iconic Moray bridge built by one of the most famous civil engineers of the industrial revolution is in need of repair.
But uncertainty over who owns the Craigellachie Bridge, which was designed by Thomas Telford, is making it impossible to apply for grants.
The Friends of Craigellachie Bridge community group has been keen for years to start fundraising in order to carry out repairs.
However it has found its way blocked due to the ongoing question of ownership.
When the single-arch cast-iron span over the River Spey opened in 1814, half the funds came from the government, with the rest raised through public subscriptions.
The upshot is that hundreds of people could potentially now claim ownership.
While Moray Council has some responsibility for maintenance, the bridge is not theirs.
The friends group has written to the Scottish Government in the hope of finding a way forward.
It is now waiting for a response from former Moray MP Angus Robertson, in his role as Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.
Group member Neil Fotheringham is a retired bridge engineer who used to work with the council.
He admitted the process to determine ownership had been "very frustrating".
Mr Fotheringham said: "The bridge is known all around the world … and there is a lot of good will out there for it.
"Since the pandemic everything’s been frozen in time. Now it’s time to get going again.
"This bridge is iconic, not just for Moray but for communities worldwide."
The span is Category A listed by Historic Environment Scotland and is the oldest of its kind anywhere on the globe.
It is also designated as a civil engineering landmark by the Institution of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
Boyd Ross, vice-chairman of the friends group said: "The bridge is getting old and is deteriorating. It needs some TLC.
"But we can’t do anything about it because it’s not ours.
"It’s part and parcel of the industrial revolution, and it’s sad to see it deteriorate."
Councillor Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) is backing the group in its efforts to have the bridge restored.
Following a recent UK Government announcement of £1.5 million towards reopening or replacing Cloddach bridge near Birnie, she is hopeful for the future of Telford’s structure.
Cllr Harris said: “The Craigellachie bridge is part of our heritage and culture. It’s the gateway between Moray and Speyside.
"The UK government has given £1.5 million for a bridge that’s coming to the end of its 120-year lifespan.
"The Telford Bridge is for all the communities to enjoy and it’s up to all of us to make sure it's looked after for future generations.
"It would be very upsetting to see it deteriorate further."
The friends group is keen to have a 3D digital mapping survey carried out to identify areas most in need of attention.
Scaffolding is expected to be required around the whole structure, which will have to be shrink-wrapped to prevent any materials falling into the environmentally-sensitive River Spey.
An assessment of the bridge in early 2020 put the initial repair bill at £1.2 million.
However, rising inflation for building materials is expected to push costs up.
In 2015 the bridge appeared on a Royal Mail stamp as part of a collection celebrating Britain’s engineering genius.
