The Cairngorms Trust Path Maintenance project for the winter of 2022/23 is supporting the community of Braemar with the maintenance and enhancement of accessibility to the Society Bridge and surrounding path network.
The project
The project involves the maintenance and enhancement of the Society Bridge in the village of Braemar. Timbers on the bridge require replacement and rather than replace them like-for-like the community want to improve the accessibility of the bridge making it, and the connected paths, easier to use by those in wheelchairs, those with restricted mobility, prams and children’s bikes.
What does the project involve?
The project will carry out maintenance work on a path and bridge in the village of Braemar. As well as general improvements to the surface of the path and the replacement of failing timbers on the bridge, the project aims to implement accessibility improvements to allow better access to the route for wheelchair users, prams, and children on bikes. As this route is a connection between the primary school and several families it is believed that these improvements will encourage families to walk/bike to school rather than drive. The route is also well used by dog walkers and tourists and so it is felt that improvements will have far-reaching benefits to many areas of the community.
How did you identify the need and demand for this project?
The need for maintenance of the bridge is evident from the rotting timbers and the need for enhancement of both the bridge and connecting paths to improve access for all abilities is the right thing to do.
The project is being coordinated by Braemar Community Limited (which exists to support the village via the management of community assets) and Braemar Tourism Group (which exists to coordinate initiatives supporting tourism in the area).
What public benefit will your project idea provide to residents and/or visitors to the Cairngorms
As a result of this project being completed, the local community can be confident in the long-term future of the Society Bridge and associated paths. Having the bridge fall into serious disrepair resulting in closure for safety reasons would be extremely inconvenient for local families who use the route to access the school as well as dog walkers, walkers and tourists alike.
Using the requirement for maintenance as a jumping-off point to make improvements to accessibility will open up the route to even more people.
Support for the project
The Cairngorms Trust is working to raise funds totalling £7000 to assist the community of Braemar with the Society Bridge Access Project.
To support this project with a donation click here.
