Moray SNP News
MSP WRITES TO UK & SCOTTISH GOVERNMENTS SEEKING URGENT HELP FOR LOSSIE BRIDGE
26/07/2019
Richard Lochhead MSP has written to the Ministry of Defence and the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Tourism seeking urgent help to reinstate access to the east beach at Lossiemouth following the closure of the footbridge.
Mr Lochhead has asked the Ministry of Defence whether they can step in to source a temporary bridge for the crossing, highlighting the willingness of the 39 Engineers Regiment at Kinloss to assist the local community should the required materials be made available.
Moray’s MSP has also written to the Scottish Government’s Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Secretary, to ask what help and support she can offer the local community, given the importance of the beach to the local tourism sector.
Richard Lochhead MSP said:
“The closure of Lossie’s iconic footbridge at the height of the tourist season is a huge blow and I know that local businesses are already concerned about the immediate impact its having.
“Although I’m on my family holiday, I have been keeping in touch with community representatives and have been contacting various agencies to help try to find a way forward.
“After speaking with senior personnel at Kinloss Barracks – where they helpfully said they were ready to help in any way they can – I wrote to the MOD to ask that they look at urgently at deploying a temporary bridge from elsewhere to Lossiemouth.
“Losing access to one of Moray’s most popular beaches in the middle of summer is devastating for the community and the businesses who rely on visitors to the area and I’ve been in touch with the Scottish Government’s Tourism Secretary to ask for any support she’s able to provide.
“We know that a permanent solution will take time and a considerable sum of money, however, we do urgently need to find a temporary solution that allows access to the beach to be reinstated as soon as possible, and we must ensure that no stone is left unturned in our efforts to get a temporary fix put in place. The taskforce that the Moray Council is looking to establish will certainly help with that and I hope it will be able to meet as soon as possible.
“Whilst the bridge may be closed, we should all remember that Lossiemouth is very much open for business and we should continue to support the traders on the esplanade and in the community, as this will no doubt be a very anxious time for them.”
