ELDERLY AND DISABLED rail passengers travelling to and from Elgin station have received a massive boost this week with the news that a new bridge is to be created.
Plans for a new footbridge at Elgin station were first revealed last year when Transport Scotland confirmed they were in the “early stages” of planning and design work with Network Rail.
At that point no decisions had been taken on precisely where or when the new bridge might be built. Moray’s MSP, Richard Lochhead, had met with the Elgin Community Council who have been campaigning for several years for a new bridge to be put in place.
The issue was also raised by Elgin councillor Graham Leadbitter, who said a stumbling block that was holding things up then was finding out who, if anyone, owned the section of land to the south side of the station.
Councillor Leadbitter said that it was important a new bridge was put in place, saying: “It would mean that far more people would be using the area and, in turn, should make it a far more attractive area to develop – sadly, at the moment, it is a poor excuse for a gateway to Elgin.”
Now a meeting between the Elgin Community Council and a representative from Network Rail has resulted in a promise that a new bridge will be put in place by October this year.
A spokesman for the community council said: “We are delighted to offer the news that, after much lobbying by the Elgin Community Council, a new footbridge will be built in Elgin Station beginning in September or October.
“This bridge will have both lifts and stairs at either side and will be hugely beneficial to folks with mobility problems, some of our elderly who are less able and parents with a buggy.”