An Angus bridge closure is threatening to take the shine off a couple’s dream wedding.
Hannah Turner and Sam Doig are due to be married at Edzell Church on July 22 with 120 guests in attendance.
But the impending five-week closure of the Gannochy Bridge from July 3 for essential repairs could put the brakes on the Glasgow-based couple’s transport arrangements.
The five-minute journey to and from the church from Hannah’s Edzell family home in vintage wedding cars would involve a nine-mile detour if the bridge is closed – something deemed too big a risk to be allowed to happen.
Hannah’s mum Sarah said: “The wedding cars are booked but because of their age the owner understandably feels it is not safe to risk crossing the fast A90 and travelling along it.
“We are still waiting to find out when the bridge will be open and at the moment we are very much in a state of limbo.”
Mrs Turner, who lives in the village, said the uncertainty was making life extremely stressful with just weeks to go.
She said: “I completely understand if the bridge is going to be dangerous to cross but it’s the uncertainty that is making life difficult as we want to let the wedding guests – many of whom are not local – know about the detour so they can plan ahead.
“We may also need to arrange coach transport to make it easier for everyone to travel to the church and back to the reception.”
Mrs Turner has urged the council to consider opening the bridge on the big day to let them through – if it is safe to do so.
The bridge closure will also impact on local businesses at the height of the summer season when footfall is at its highest in the village.
Sheila Martin, owner of the Tuck Inn, questioned the timing of the closure which she fears could lead to poor summer sales and ultimately job losses.
She said: “I am sure that I am not alone in that my business depends on good summer sales to get us through the winter, and, enable me to keep and pay the staff during harder times.”
She has urged the council to keep disruption “to an absolute minimum”.
North East Scotland Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said the closure of the bridge will have “an enormous detrimental impact on local businesses”.
He said there is “no good time” to carry out repair work but described the timing – during the busiest months and at the height of the holiday season – as “particularly insensitive and poorly considered”.
He said: “Without that income the local area could be disastrously affected.”
Mr Kerr has now urged Angus and Aberdeenshire Council to think again and consider overnight working and/or opening the bridge when work isn’t being carried out.
Angus Council chief executive Margo Williamson said the risks were too high to carry out the work before the summer period but she added that “every opportunity for the bridge being passable” on the wedding day is being considered.
She also said they will seek to minimise the duration of the works period and to maximise the time the bridge might be opened during this period, including overnight and weekends.
A Council spokesperson added: “Essential repair works at Gannochy Bridge start on July 3 for five weeks.
“This work is essential and must take place as soon as possible.
“Unfortunately it was not possible to carry out this work earlier due to concerns from the contractor carrying out this work in winter months.
“We hope to keep the road open as much as possible and diversion signs to Edzell and other areas such as The Retreat will be in place during any road closures.”
