Guests to a magnificence spot in Callander may quickly be utilizing a brand new footbridge.
Loch Lomond and Trossachs Nationwide Park Authority needs to interchange the bridge at Bracklinn Falls and has submitted an software to its personal planners.
The proposed new bridge, over the Keltie River, would exchange one demolished final 12 months after indicators of decay had been noticed.
In paperwork submitted with the applying, consultants mentioned: “The falls are an iconic panorama characteristic within the Nationwide Park which have been visited and admired for a whole bunch of years – present annual customer numbers are circa greater than 70,000 each year.
“The demolition of the timber bridge resulted within the Bracklinn Circuit strolling route being incomplete and subsequently the Nationwide Park wish to reinstate the bridge and restore the strolling route for vacationers and the area people.
“The challenge space is inside a extremely delicate panorama and the proposed bridge is over the Keltie Water – which is inside the River Teith Particular Space of Conservation (SAC).
“The woodland habitat is especially appropriate for bat exercise and as such the earlier timber bridge had bats residing in it. These had been eliminated beneath license to permit the bridge to be demolished and two bat packing containers had been erected adjoining to the western abutment as mitigation.
“The woodland banks of the Keltie Water are recognized within the Historic Woodland stock. There'll subsequently be no timber felled as a part of the works.
“A protracted-standing bridge (situated on the decrease stage) was washed away by excessive flooding in 2004 after which changed (with challenge help from the Nationwide Park) with an award profitable timber bridge in 2010. In spring 2021 routine inspections of the bridge highlighted various issues and the bridge was closed for security causes. Inspections of the bridge by an engineer and timber specialist in summer season 2021 discovered proof of significant rot and decay inside all elements of the timber construction and following detailed consideration of the choices, the choice was taken to demolish the timber construction.”
The consultants mentioned the standard of the bridge had been a central consideration all through the challenge and it has been designed to be sympathetic to the encircling panorama while additionally reaching a 120 12 months design life.
The proposed bridge is to be 20 metres lengthy and two metres extensive and constructed from weathering metal.
“Weathering-steel is chosen in response to a demanding climatic atmosphere offering an extended service-life and a ‘pure’ aesthetic applicable to context,” mentioned the consultants.
“Contemplating the proposed bridge is a direct substitute for a bridge that was demolished in 2021 because of harm, there's already a precedent set that such a growth on this location is appropriate.
“The proposed bridge has been designed to have a minimal influence on the encircling pure atmosphere as soon as in place and in addition throughout the development part. Lastly, there's public help and demand for the re-instatement of the bridge and consequently the completion of the favored strolling route near the residential space of Callander. This route will function an outside entry space for residents inside, and guests to, the Nationwide Park and subsequently approving this proposal would contribute in the direction of fulfilling the native and vacationer calls for inside the Nationwide Park.”
Park planners are anticipated to make a suggestion on the applying in the end.