Electric train bridge demolitions could cut off Broughty Ferry shops

Plans to electrify the train line through Dundee could “create a significant problem” for people trying to visit the shops in Broughty Ferry.

That is according to members of the Dundee Civic Trust, who have written to Network Rail to outline their concerns.

They centre on plans to demolish two bridges that cross into the Ferry over the train line, most pressingly on Fort Street.

Network Rail is planning huge changes to the east coast line to allow engineers to install overhead electric powerlines.

‘Significant problem’ for local access to Broughty Ferry

Donald Gordon is chairman of the trust.

He warned demolishing the overline road bridge on Fort Street would increase the amount of traffic using the potentially dangerous level crossing on Gray Street.

“The only access to central Broughty Ferry that is convenient to everybody is the Fort Street bridge.

“It is therefore of considerable importance to the economic and social life of Broughty Ferry,” he told The Courier.

Dundee Civic Trust is a voluntary body set up in 1973. Its members encourage the highest standards of design in new buildings and regeneration projects.

Mr Gordon said his members did not object to the majority of the works, but “see a problem” with the Broughty Ferry proposals.

The trust’s letter to Network Rail states: “This bridge [on Fort Street] already has a steep hump and we can quite understand why you think that it should be removed.

“But doing so will create a significant problem for local access to Broughty Ferry’s main commercial area.

“It will result in the diversion of most of the pedestrian and vehicle traffic to the Gray Street level crossing.

“This is surely the last place you would want to see an increase in traffic crossing the railway line.”

Track operator Network Rail has been closing level crossings across the UK due to safety concerns.

Network Rail hope to start work in 2023

Network Rail hope to begin work next year and finish the project by 2029, but they have not yet applied for formal planning permission.

Details of the plan come from a screening opinion request submitted ahead of a planning application.

Mr Gordon hopes Network Rail will change their plans and he said the Dundee Civic Trust would continue to lobby the track operator.

A Network Rail spokesman said they were considering “potential future electrification of the line between Dunblane and Aberdeen”.

“We are not yet in a position to confirm what, if any, work is required on specific structures or bridges.

“We will fully engage with the community when plans have been agreed,” he said.