A Kinross-shire community feel that a bridge that has been persistently targeted by vandals may have to close unless immediate action is taken to repair it.
Trudy Duffy-Wigman, chair of Fossoway and District Community Council, claims if the “degradation” of Dunning Glen Bridge continues it will not be safe.
“It is a vital link for residents living on the Dunning Road and closing the road would cause a lot of problems,” she said.
“Fossoway and District Community Council are deeply worried about the state of the Devon Bridge in Dunning Glen. We acknowledge that the bridge is a listed structure and should ideally be repaired using certain materials and techniques.
“However, the bridge is currently in such a state that it needs to be repaired now. The coping stones on one side have all but disappeared, leaving the bridge open to the full force of the elements.”
Mrs Duffy-Wigman said the community council has tried to stop vandalism of the bridge and acknowledges the police have a difficult time trying to catch the culprits.
“It is not the first time that the bridge has been vandalised – now many of the coping stones have been pried loose and thrown in the river,” she added.
“Police officers will pay the site a visit when they get reports about campers, but it is understandably very difficult to catch someone in the act.”
Councillor Willie Robertson said he is “really concerned” about the future of the bridge, claiming it is being “systematically destroyed.”
He said: “The bridge forms a vital link for the people who live in Dunning Glen. If it has to be closed it would have a major impact on them.”
Mr Robertson said he has contacted Perth and Kinross Council and Police Scotland in relation to the latest situation.
“I am going to ask if the bridge can be covered with CCTV to both protect it from further damage and help apprehend those responsible,” he added.
“I am really concerned about the future of this bridge. If things get much worse we may be forced to close it and this would cause a major problem for the residents of Dunning Glen and others.”
A spokesperson for Police Scotland said they were not aware of recent incidents of vandalism to the bridge.
Perth and Kinross Council was asked for a comment.
