Controversial plans to close a historic north-east bridge for good were thrown out by councillors yesterday after a prolonged campaign by church goers.
The centuries-old Bishop’s Bridge at Cruden Bay has been extensively damaged by a series of crashes and Aberdeenshire Council had hoped to avoid further repair bills by closing it to traffic.
But planners were inundated with letters and e-mails from parishioners of a nearby church.
Opponents argued keeping the bridge open to all vehicles would lead to lengthy diversions and could hit weddings and funerals at Cruden Parish Church.
Voicing her objection to the plans at the Buchan Area Committee, parishioner Marilyn Samways said: “The situation is getting quite impossible for people who are using the church.”
Church organist and Peterhead community councillor Stephen Calder added: “Local road networks converge at the bridge and these road links will be lost with its closure, causing considerable inconvenience to worshipers as well as other local residents.”
Mr Calder also stressed that the proposed alternative route – the unclassified Ardiffery Mains road – is unsuitable.
“In rainy weather the road is quite muddy. During wintry conditions of ice and snow, the road is even more hazardous and frequently unusable.
“There is clearly a health and safety issue here.”
Although council planning chiefs recommended the committee close the road, councillors were hesitant and SNP councillor and nearby resident Stephen Smith led a charge to keep the route open.
Mr Smith, who has campaigned for several months on the issue, said: “I think we would all accept the historical significance of the bridge but at the same time it is a local link and I’m going to propose the bridge is kept open as a vital local route.”
Independent councillor Tom Malone seconded Mr Smith’s unopposed proposal. He said: “I think based on the strength of feeling, the consensus is that there may be options of traffic calming measures yet explored.”
The 6ft-wide crossing was built for James Drummond, Bishop of Brechin from 1684 to 1689, before his arrival in Cruden Bay. He stayed at nearby Slains Castle.
The bridge was shut in December after a 4X4 vehicle ploughed into one of its parapets. It had been reopened for only a short time when it was hit again, in January.