Funding Secured for Kalemouth Suspension Bridge Restoration
A historic bridge spanning the River Teviot in the Scottish Borders has obtained £250,000 in funding to support a significant restoration initiative.
The Kalemouth Suspension Bridge, constructed approximately 200 years ago, was closed to vehicular traffic in August 2020 after inspections revealed "substantial decay" in its timber deck.
Scottish Borders Council successfully secured this funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The restoration plan includes replacing the timber components and deck bracing, alongside refurbishing the ironwork and masonry, with the goal of preserving the bridge as a crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.
Council's Position on Vehicle Use
The local authority had previously dismissed proposals to invest £4 million to restore the bridge for car use, determining that such expenditure was unjustifiable.
Councillor John Greenwell described the new funding as "an exciting step" toward restoring the bridge.
"With this support now in place, we can continue to move the project forward and work through the remaining detailed planning and funding stages needed to safeguard the bridge's future."
Historical Significance and Structural Details
Located near Eckford, the bridge was designed and constructed circa 1835 by Captain Samuel Brown, who also engineered the Union Chain Bridge connecting Scotland and England.
It carries an unclassified road that previously allowed single-file traffic of vehicles weighing less than three tonnes to cross between the A698 and properties in Ormiston Mains.
However, structural assessments determined that the Category A-listed bridge no longer possesses the strength to support vehicular weight.
Comments from National Lottery Heritage Fund
Caroline Clark, director for Scotland at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented on the bridge's importance.
"Kalemouth Suspension Bridge is a magnificent piece of engineering and serves both as an important crossing for walkers and cyclists, and as a landmark and monument to local heritage."
"Thanks to National Lottery players, Heritage Fund investment will support the project with essential restoration work and new interpretation panels to share the story and significance of the bridge."
