Fears popular cycle route could be closed for years after 'serious' structural issues found in bridge
The bridge, used by thousands of residents, was closed with immediate effect after a safety inspection last month
Residents in Cannonmills and Warriston are calling for transparency around the future of a busy cycle and walking route after a bridge connecting the path to a local park was closed suddenly.
Powderhall Bridge, which crosses the Water of Leith between St Mark’s Path and St Mark's Park, was shut off to pedestrians at the end of June after failing a safety inspection.
The report, which has only been made available to residents this week, found splitting in the timber in the top chord nodes of the bridge. It said the complete failure of the node is possible at “any time” if there are heavy loads on the bridge, such as crowds of people, or during periods of unusually hot weather.
However, residents who rely on the route on a daily basis have criticised the lack of communication from Edinburgh council about the reasons for the closure and the timeline for repairing the bridge.
Local Yossi Mazon, who runs the DelishYoss Coffee Bar next to St Mark’s Path, said he is extremely concerned about the impact of the ongoing closure on community access to the park.
“This is a heavily pedestrian path with lots and lots of people using it every day,” said the 52-year-old. “There’s always people walking and cycling, it’s so busy.
“The kids at the school across the road will be back in August and they use it daily. It’s the only green space they have access to.”
He said the path was closed eight months ago ahead of the council-backed development of the former bowling greens site, but was forced to reopen again after local protests.
“When that happened we demonstrated the community need for the path and the council ended up doing a U-turn. So someone at the council knows how important it is,” said Mr Mazon.
“We’ve hardly had any communication from the council on the recent closure. We don’t really know the extent of the damage or when it is going to reopen.
“Of course, if the bridge is unsafe then it needs to be shut. But the fact they closed it without letting anyone know has left people scrabbling to find the information themselves.
“There’s no signage about the diversion so people don’t know where to go. People keep getting stuck on both sides.”
Residents now have to take a 15-minute diversion to get to the park, which includes walking through a private housing estate and up an uneven gravel path.
“My Dad is a wheelchair user and I’m acutely aware of how inaccessible the diversion route is,” he said. “If you have mobility issues you simply cannot use it.
“Or if you’re pushing a pram, that path is really difficult. A couple of hours ago I watched a group of nursery children and teachers come and try to use the path, and they had to walk all the way round. It’s a proper trek.”
There is currently no timeline for the repairs to the bridge, and it is not known whether the bridge will need to be fully replaced until further assessments have been made.
Mr Mazon said the long-term closure of the bridge for a replacement to be built would be the “worst case scenario” and is calling on the council to urgently assess what work is required.
“The first thing I want them to do is to expedite the assessment of what needs to happen," he said. “And I’m not talking weeks or months, I’m talking days. There’s a history of bridges in Edinburgh being closed for years at a time, and we’re scared that’s what is going to happen to this one.”
“Communication is key. It’s important to keep the community on side by ensuring everyone knows what’s happening. That means proper signage and letters through the mailbox.”
Leith Walk councillor Jack Caldwell, who has been communicating with residents about the issue, said: “The closure incredibly disappointing especially after the local community made clear just months ago how important this walking, wheeling and cycling route is for the area.
“It connects thousands of people - most without gardens or other greenspace - to St Mark’s Park park and access to the North Edinburgh path network. It’s also vital for both Broughton Primary School and local business footfall.
“Having seen the independent inspection report, the structural issues are incredibly serious and it had to be closed. That is partly why Council officers installed more substantive barriers earlier this week.
“The bridge is fundamental to travel in our area and the official diversion down Logie Green Road is quite a trek, especially for people with mobility issues, so I will continue liaising with Council officers for timely solution, and I know they’re currently weighing up options.”
Edinburgh council has been contacted for comment.