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£2million Nairn footbridge being proposed for wrong area of the town – residents call it a 'white elephant project'


By Louise Glen

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Some residents from Osprey Crescent. Picture: Callum Mackay
Some residents from Osprey Crescent. Picture: Callum Mackay

A concerned Nairn resident fears a new £2 million footbridge development could be only 18 inches from his garden.

Gerry Clark (67), of Osprey Crescent, and his neighbours were shocked after seeing “concept designs” in last week’s Inverness Courier and on social media, showing three options for a link for pedestrians and cycles – over the Inverness-Aberdeen rail-line – to connect Lochloy and Balmakeith.

But as there are only around 20 houses in the area near the bridge, Mr Clark calls the plan “a white elephant”.

He said: “This bridge is not being built in the right place. It will impact on a whole row of houses along the route.

“The high fence that is being proposed would be only 18 inches from the end of my garden, and my neighbours’ gardens.

“I have made a wildlife haven in our garden, and I am fearful that this ill-thought-out footbridge will impact on native species. The embankment along the side of the railway is a wildlife corridor, and there are lovely trees in the area that will need to be removed.

“It will certainly take away our privacy. People using the bridge will be able to look straight into mine, and neighbouring properties, gardens and houses. Surely that cannot be right?”

Gerry Clark. Picture: Callum Mackay
Gerry Clark. Picture: Callum Mackay

Mr Clark explains that there has been provision in the local development plan for a footbridge for some time but thinks it should not happen.

He added: “The plans we have seen are outlandish designs, and don’t meet the needs of the Lochloy community, as there is an urgent need for another road for access onto the A96, a footbridge should be incorporated into that project – which would be a better use of money, and beneficial to a greater number of people in the area.

“But in the meantime, for myself and my neighbours, it is very worrying and we are opposed to it.”

A spokesman for Highland Council said: “The project is funded jointly by Highland Council (via developer contributions) and Transport Scotland (via Sustrans and their Places for Everyone funding stream). The cost of the scheme is very much dependent on the design solution that is taken forward and at this stage we are only looking at concept designs, however the funding stream for the project is in the region of £2 million.

Gerry Clark and some residents from Osprey Crescent. Picture: Callum Mackay
Gerry Clark and some residents from Osprey Crescent. Picture: Callum Mackay

“The scheme is at a very early stage in terms of the design and it is anticipated that future community engagement/consultation will happen as the design progresses culminating is a planning application of which formal consultation will be a major part.”

A public consultation on the concept designs closes this Friday. Comments should be emailed to PDU.DT2@highland.gov.uk

READ: PICTURES: Nairn footbridge designs revealed which would link Lochloy and Balmakeith and allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross the Inverness-Aberdeen rail-line


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