Vandals have struck at opposite ends of Dundee, smashing scaffolding installed for the repair of a historic bridge and toppling dozens of gravestones from their plinths.
The attack at the site of Linlathen East bridge was condemned as “deplorable” by David Hewick, planning secretary of Broughty Ferry Community Council.
The A-listed structure over the Dighty Water is thought to date back to the late 18th century and Historic Scotland reckons it is the oldest surviving iron bridge in Scotland.
Its fragile ironwork was removed recently for restoration and to allow work on the masonry abutments on each bank to take place, but the scaffolding set up by the contractors was knocked over and left in a tangled mess by the vandals.
Mr Hewick said, “One can only express outrage at such mindless behaviour.
“I have informed Dundee City Council of the damage, and the city engineers are arranging for the contractors to remove the damaged scaffolding.”
The bridge has been in a poor condition for some time and it has taken the combined efforts of the city council, the community council and Dundee Civic Trust to ensure it is repaired at a cost of more than £400,000.
The work is being supported by Miller Homes, who are building houses at nearby Ferryfields.’Disgusted’ at responseVandals have also caused havoc in Balgay Cemetery, toppling more than 30 headstones in the northern section of the site on Wednesday or Thursday last week.
A police spokesman said, “This resulted in extensive damage to several of the headstones with the total bill for repair exceeding £7000.
“A major concern regarding this behaviour is that some of the headstones involved are extremely heavy and could have caused injury to both the persons responsible as well as any persons visiting neighbouring graves.”
However, on Sunday a reader whose wife is buried at Balgay Cemetery contacted The Courier to express his anger at the police response.
The man told The Courier, “People who have family graves at Balgay are disgusted with the attitude of the police who are more concerned with the welfare of the vandals than the feelings of the victims.”
The cemetery has been targeted by vandals several times in recent years, with incidents of headstones being smashed or toppled and flower holders scattered.
The most serious damage was to a footbridge linking the cemetery side of Balgay Hill to the Mills Observatory side, which had to be closed for several years after vandals wrecked its balustrades and safety fencing until money could be found for repairs.
Officers are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed the attack or seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area to get in touch by calling 0300 111 2222.