I had a wander down to the Dorrator Bridge across the River Carron on Saturday. The bridge is being replaced as the old one has seen better days in its 121 year history. Locally, the bridge is known as the “Swing Bridge” which is odd as it is actually a suspension bridge. However the name refers not so much to its construction and rather to its stability - I’ve come across less nerve inducing ventures on a Scout camp. My children know it more by the name of “The Wobbly Bridge”.
I took the dogs with me for their walk but I now have to carry Eddie on to the bridge as he regards the thing as a death trap. I think this is because he has fallen off the steps on more than one occasion. Sam will climb the steps of his own volition but he does look rather worried when he is walking across it. Then again, he looks rather worried most of the time.
The new bridge is quite a substantial looking thing in florescent bright green. It also loses the steps in favour of a long ramp so it should be more immune to the river flooding. It also makes the bridge far more accessible by bicycle. In addition, the way down to Camelon cemetery has been improved with a stone path and the steps leading up to the cemetery are being replaced with a ramp.
The only thing they need to do now is to improve the path that leads back to Larbert as this ends up flooded and muddy for much of the year. The old bridge is to be removed once the new one officially opens but there is meant to be some permanent reminder to it. It would be nice if they could leave the iron uprights in place – although isn’t it odd that a foundry town imported these from Aberdeen?
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