by DOUGLAS SHEPHERD
One of the dedicated volunteers who helped secure the future of the world famous Union Chain Bridge on the River Tweed will address a public meeting next week when the uncertainty hanging over another iconic suspension bridge by the same architect will be the subject for debate.
The Union Chain Bridge was the brainchild of naval captain Sir Samuel Brown who first patented a design for wrought iron chain links to be used in suspension bridges in 1817. His Union bridge connecting Scotland and England was completed in 1820.
A recent restoration scheme costing £10 million allowed the 203-year-old structure to re-open to traffic last year.
In the 1830s Samuel Brown was commissioned by wealthy landowner William Mein, of Ormiston in Roxburghshire to construct a smaller bridge to span the River Teviot at Kalemouth for Mr Mein's private use. It is 180 feet in length compared to the Union bridge which measures 423 feet between its stone towers.
Soon after its completion, Mein allowed public use of the Kalemouth bridge under a system of tolls. According to old documents the charges in 1834 were a halfpenny for pedestrians, threepence for a horse and cart, sixpence for a gig and a shilling for a chaise.
But Kalemouth had to be completely closed to traffic in 2020 after an inspection showed the A-listed bridge was in need of urgent attention. The timbers were said to be in a dangerous state and in need of complete renewal at a likely cost of £1 million. A more extensive refurbishment could increase the bill to £4 million, according to officials of Scottish Borders Council, the authority responsible for the bridge and its condition.
The closure has resulted in lengthy detours for the current residents of Ormiston Mains' 12 properties who would no doubt back the more expensive option to allow cars to cross the bridge once more. A project involving replacement timbers would result in only pedestrians and cyclists being able to travel over the Teviot.
A report prepared for members of the council executive last December stated: "The Union Chain Bridge refurbishment project was circa £10 million and given Kalemouth Suspension Bridge is half the span strengthening and timber replacement costs would likely be in the range of £2M- £4M, most probably at the top end of this scale. This, unfortunately, renders a project of this nature cost prohibitive and means it does not really offer value for money for the public purse".
Members of Crailing, Eckford & Nisbet Community Council in whose territory the Kalemouth Bridge is situated, were given a recent update by SBC.
The council said external consulting engineers had been commissioned and were progressing through the design for the replacement and renewal of all timber elements on the bridge.
"Expression of Interest Forms for external grant funding to assist with the refurbishment works have been prepared and submitted to Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and Heritage Lottery Grant Fund (HLGF). Initial positive replies have been received from both parties and once more detail of refurbishment works are prepared, further discussions will be required as part of the formal bid process".
Local residents will have a chance to put forward ideas and suggestions for the bridge's future at a public meeting to be held on Wednesday May 8th at 7.30 pm in Eckford Village Hall.
The meeting will hear Edward Cawthorn, secretary and a trustee of the Friends of the Union Chain Bridge speak about the history and restoration of Kalemouth's famous 'big sister'.
Mr Cawthorn's talk will be followed by an open discussion when there may be a move to set up a 'Friends of Kalemouth Bridge' group.
Charlie Robertson, acting chairman of the community council, said: "There are those in the community who favour a full restoration - particularly those who live over the bridge [from the Jedburgh-Kelso road]. Whatever the final decision, we feel there needs to be a group to monitor the bridge and make sure that it is not so badly neglected again."
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