Moray Council: Step towards community ownership for iconic Craigellachie bridge
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The future of Telford’s iconic 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 now needed to restore it.
However councillors have agreed that the local authority should explore options for the bridge to transfer into community ownership.
Nicola Moss, the council's head of environmental and commercial services, told a meeting today that talks have already been held with an interested group.
Friends of Craigellachie Bridge are keen to secure the future of the structure and have offered to pay for an inspection.
The group has also been in contact with Historic Environment Scotland about the possibility of funding.
Councillor Juli Harris (Speyside/Glenlivet, SNP) praised them for their efforts.
She added: "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.”
Cllr Harris added the bridge is an important tourist attraction and contributes to economy of Moray and Speyside.
When the bridge was built between 1812 and 1814, half the funds came from the government with the rest raised through public subscriptions.
This has caused confusion over who owns the bridge.
A community asset transfer will enable the friends group to take responsibility, but before that can happen Moray Council will have to gain full property rights.
Issuing a compulsory purchase order would cost about £23,000.
However if the bridge falls into such disrepair it needs to be demolished, the cost to the council would be £1million.
The bridge was closed to vehicles in October 1972, and is now a footbridge and cycle path.
Category A-listed by Historic Environment Scotland, it has also been designated as a landmark by both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers.
