Dunardry a bridge too far as residents’ canal protest grows
PROTESTS are growing, a year on from the closure of Dunardry Bridge over the Crinan Canal.
The 116-year-old bridge, with its rarely-seen retractable cantilever design, was closed by Scottish Canals to all users in June 2015 as its condition deteriorated.
Scottish Canals claims it does not have the money to repair the bridge. But this is simply not good enough, say residents.
David Anderson, who farms at nearby Barnakill, said: ‘Scottish Canals has known about this for about eight years. They’ve taken it in and out of service a number of times to do temporary repairs, and a new bridge was promised but that never happened.’
Mr Anderson argues that Scottish Canals is ignoring historic obligations, going back to the canal’s origins, to maintain all bridges.
He said: ‘The bridge must be kept as an access and they themselves have admitted that in the past.’
Among documents dating back to the 19th century, Mr Anderson has letters which appear to suggest that Scottish Canals must maintain existing structures over the canal.
A 1971 letter from the British Waterways Board refers to the 1793 Crinan Canal Act. With clear reference to the Dunardry bridge at lock 11, the board representative states: ‘Having constructed the bridges… the proprietors [currently Scottish Canals] are responsible for the maintenance.’
After carrying out a recent structural survey, Scottish Canals told Mr Anderson it would cost an estimated £100,000 to £150,000 to refurbish the bridge.
A spokesperson for Scottish Canals, said: ‘A full engineering inspection has been carried out on the bridge, which confirmed it is not capable of supporting vehicle or pedestrian use in its current condition.
‘With limited resources and 137 miles of canals to maintain, we prioritise all of our projects by taking into account safety, operational considerations and ensuring best public value.
‘While we are investigating options to repair and reopen Dunardry Bridge, vehicle crossing is available at Cairnbaan Bridge and pedestrians are able to cross the canal at any of the waterway’s lock gates.
‘As a result, the re- pair is not currently on our list of priority works.’
Referring to the Crinan Canal Act, the spokesperson continued: ‘It does refer to the creation of bridges as deemed necessary over the canal, but does not state specific locations.’
David Anderson is not alone in protesting about canal maintenance in the area.
A petition to Scottish Canals and Argyll and Bute Council, organised by local people, is headed: ‘We the undersigned residents of Dunardry and Cairnbaan request that Scottish Canals and Argyll and Bute Council roads department address the unacceptable situation which exists of the closure of Dunardry Bridge and the collapsing towpath between locks six and seven.’
After a section of canal bank under the towpath road collapsed, Argyll and Bute Council installed a metal temporary plate to keep traffic flowing.
It is still there, four years on.
Asked about the collapsed roadway, a council spokesperson replied: ‘We are aware of this issue and are in discussion with Scottish Canals about it. While it is obviously a matter of general concern there is no imminent danger to the public. The road remains safe.’