A historic Lochaber footbridge has been left “unfinished” according to critics after £400,000 was spent upgrading it.
The Soldiers’ Bridge over the River Lochy was closed for around 11 weeks to allow the old ramp at the northern end to be replaced as well as the existing decking and handrails on the structure itself.
But while residents have praised the replacement work, they say they can’t understand why the ramp and decking at the southern end have been left.
Donald and Norah Watt, who stay in Lochyside, use the bridge every day to go to Inverlochy or on to Fort William which is just a 20 minute walk away.
Mr Watt – a former leader of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team – said the footbridge now looks “weird”.
The 80 year-old added: “They have done a wonderful job replacing the ramp at the Lochyside end and 90 per cent of the bridge looks great. But the part at the Inverlochy side just looks a mess.
“This footbridge is very well used and it was a big loss when it was closed. I spoke to one of the workmen when he was tidying up to ask when the rest of the bridge would be finished, but he just shook his head.”
Another Lochyside resident, Jos Gosling, 88, said: “I was shocked when I first saw the bridge when the workmen left as I thought it still had to be finished off. It really is insulting and quite ridiculous to leave it like this.”
Caol and Mallaig councillor, Ben Thompson, said the funding – received from Sustrans Scotland – only covered the parts of the bridge that were unsafe.
He added: “The structural engineers who surveyed the footbridge said the part at the Inverlochy side was fine, so we didn’t have the money to do that bit anyway.
“It isn’t wheelchair friendly at that side, so I am hoping officials will try to find the cash to get this work done too.”
Paul Matthews, Sustrans Scotland Engineering and Design Manager, said: “On behalf of Transport Scotland we provided £400,000 of funding from our National Cycle Network Development Fund, to replace the northern ramp and bridge deck and handrails with upgraded materials. These have been delivered by Highland Council and a local access group has been involved in the improvements.
“Sustrans will continue to work with the council and all partners involved to maintain and improve the route and consider options for further improvement, such as the southern ramp, where possible.”