Historic Kalemouth Bridge upgrade plans revealed

Plans have been unveiled for a partial restoration of a historic bridge in the Borders.

The Kalemouth Suspension Bridge – built in the early part of the 19th Century – was shut to vehicles in August 2020 after “substantial decay” was found in its timber deck.

Scottish Borders Council now plans to replace the timber work and deck bracing, as well as refurbish the ironwork and masonry to maintain it as a crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.

It previously ruled out spending £4m to allow cars to use it again as it decided that expense could not be justified.

The bridge near Eckford was designed and built by Capt Samuel Brown who also built the Union Chain Bridge linking Scotland and England.

It carries an unclassified road over the River Teviot and, prior to its closure, allowed single-file traffic – weighing less than three tonnes – to cross between the A698 and about 12 properties in Ormiston Mains.

However, tests found the category A listed structure no longer demonstrated “sufficient strength” to cope with such loads.

Reopening to cars has been ruled out but work will now be undertaken to let it be safely used by pedestrians and cyclists.

Charlie Robertson, who chairs the local community council, welcomed the move.

“It is just looking terribly run down just now and as if nobody cares for it at all,” he said.

“So this, at least will improve the decking on the bridge and make that suitable for pedestrians and for cyclists, even if not for vehicles.

“I have to pay tribute to the council engineers – they have been very open with us, they have consulted as at all stages with their plans.”