KIRKCUDBRIGHT Bridge could be completely demolished and replaced with a new structure in a project that would take several years, it has been revealed.
All options are currently being explored by Dumfries and Galloway Council officers, which includes a rebuild job on site – or potentially another bridge at different locations on the River Dee.
Various costings and proposals are currently being investigated and a range of options will be presented to councillors in October this year.
This news comes after it was revealed that the short term solution will see Kirkcudbright Bridge reopened to cars or light vans by July 2 (vehicles larger than three tonnes will not be allowed access).
The issue is due to be discussed at the council’s economy and infrastructure committee next Tuesday where councillors will be given a progress update.
A report by Duncan McDonald, the council’s engineering design manager, will be tabled at the meeting.
He wrote: “In parallel to reopening the bridge on Wednesday July 2, 2025, officers have started to consider options to develop an indicative cost of a new bridge as well as timescales associated with this.
“Due to the complexities of work required to develop a new bridge for Kirkcudbright it is anticipated that this will take years, however officers are committed to developing this and will follow due diligence in order to seek correct (elected) member approval."
The council was forced to close the bridge with little notice in March after a structural safety report from engineering consultant’s Mott MacDonald.
The move has attracted criticism from locals due to it adding time onto journeys between the merse and the town centre. Traders have also experienced a significant drop in income.
Council officers are now poring over documents from a previous review of the bridge, which was conducted in the 1970s by consultants Fairhurst.
Fairhurst was commission to consider various other sites for a new bridge.
The council report produced for next week’s committee explains: “In their work, Fairhurst considered two primary locations for the new bridge. The first was directly over the existing bridge and required full demolition.
“A replacement temporary bridge was required to facilitate this, to ensure the Merse and Kirkcudbright communities remained connected during the demolition and construction work.“The second was upstream starting at Dee Road, spanning the Dee to the rear of the creamery (now demolished).”
Councillors will now be asked to allow officers to seek indicative costs and timescales for a new bridge within this year’s public realm structures capital budget.
If agreed, officers will then come back with a full range of options to the full council meeting on October 2.
