IWA volunteers in Scotland are campaigning for the repair of Dunardry Bridge on the Crinan Canal.
The only hand-operated rolling bridge which goes across a lock chamber, it is a unique example of waterways heritage. Whilst there are other moveable bridges across lock chambers and other rolling bridges, Dunardry Bridge is the only example of both.
Alison Smedley, then IWA Campaigns & Public Affairs Manager, said: “IWA believes that waterways heritage needs protecting. As part of our campaign to call for local authorities and navigation authorities to better protect waterways heritage, we are asking people to investigate their local canal or river in more detail than perhaps they ever have before and find items of interest. We want to make sure the quirky features of the waterways such as Dunardry Bridge are retained, ideally in working order, and are not forgotten in the future.”
Jonathan Mosse, IWA’s representative in Scotland added: “Whilst there are other moveable bridges across lock chambers and other rolling bridges, Dunardry Bridge is the only example of both. As such, we are working with Scottish Canals to explore options for how to repair it. We understand that Scottish Canals needs to concentrate its expenditure on improvements to navigation but IWA will fully support any heritage funding bid undertaken by Scottish Canals to reinstate the bridge.”
Find out more about hidden waterways heritage.