Bridging the Dingwall gap thanks to mystery donors
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MYSTERY donors have stepped in to break a long-running stalemate that has seen people barred from using a bridge on one of the county town's most popular walking routes for two years.
Simmering discontent over the way the Dingwall canal bridge closure was handled came to symbolise a breakdown in trust between community leaders and Highland Council over a number of local issues including the proposed introduction of car parking charges, foot-dragging over an ongoing campaign to re-open the landmark MacDonald Monument and concerns over the lack of any benefits to the town from the £315 million Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal.
Its closure on health and safety grounds was a blow to campaigners keen to promote the signposted Around Dingwall walk as a visitor attraction amid local efforts to raise the profile of a town which sits on the North Coast 500 route and close to the port of Invergordon, which welcomes upwards of 180,000 cruise liner passengers a year.
Matters came to a head at a community council meeting in February when incoming Highland Council chief executive Donna Manson admitted there was little chance of cash for the project as a number of other bridges, used on a daily basis by people getting to work and children going to school, would take precedence in spending plans.
This week, Dingwall Community Council chairman Jack Shepherd confirmed donors, who wishes to remain anonymous, had come forward to stump up the cost of a replacement, which had previously been costed upwards of £100,000.
He said: "We are delighted to confirm that a bridge to replace the current structure over the Peffery has been ordered and is currently under construction with installation planned later this year. Anonymous donors came forward offering to finance the project after hearing about our efforts to re-establish the crossing. They do not wish to be named at this stage for personal reasons reasons and that is something we intend to respect.
"This is a massive success for the Dingwall Community Council after years of effort but it is an even greater one for the people of Dingwall whose community spirit has come to the fore once again. We shall be forever grateful for the help from local businesses who have enabled this project through their generosity."
He said: "This bridge will be a significant addition to the town. Firstly, locals will once again have easy access to the other side of the canal, a favourite for walkers. Secondly, it will complete the Round Dingwall Walk which was always a pleasant attraction.
"There is still a lot of work to do. We remain in contact with the Highland Council and our funders to ensure that we all work together on this."
He added: "We have the support of our local members so we would certainly hope that the positive relationship we have enjoyed since Donna Manson took over continues. I believe the town will have a bright future if we all pull together."
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Graham Mackenzie paid tribute to the tenacity of the community council for redoubling its efforts after it become clear Highland Council could not help. He said: "Along with the MacDonald monument there is a good feeling about Dingwall at the moment with everything that is going on and this will certainly add to it.
"I'd also like to pay tribute to the sponsors of the bridge and offer our thanks to their generous public spiritedness. Perhaps one day they might wish to make themselves known and get the credit they deserve."
