Plans for a bridge over Loch Long have been praised in the Scottish Parliament by MSP Mike Russell.
The Argyll and Bute MSP Michael Russell has backed the Cowal Fixed Link Group, which he says he has met several times, and filed a motion at Holyrood on Friday.
But the wording of the motion shows some confusion about the hugely ambitious plans, since the group’s chairman David McKenzie told this website in May that a bridge for Loch Long would be unlikely: “The prevailing winds could mean frequent closures. This particular link segment would probably be a tunnel.”
Mr Russell said today that the project was ‘an idea whose time is coming’ and said he had written to the Scottish Government seeking support for a feasibility study.
The cost of the most likely route – billed a ‘triple whammy’ by Mr McKenzie and pictured at the top of this story – has been estimated at £400m, but Mr Russell said: “Given the difficulties with the Rest & Be Thankful, the requirement to upgrade ferries and the urgency of increasing population this visionary scheme could make considerable financial sense as well.
“The fixed link won’t be with us for quite some time, but I think it will happen providing we have ambition allied with a realistic approach to options and costs. This is now more than an idea – it is becoming an exciting possibility and I hope Cowal will get behind it.”
Argyll and Bute Council has not yet backed the project as Mr McKenzie requested, while a report by Highlands & Islands Enterprise questions some of the benefits.
For details of all the potential routes which have been put forward see this story:
The wording of the parliamentary motion is below:
That the Parliament commends the work of the Cowal Fixed Link Group led by David McKenzie and the range of possible fixed links that the group has proposed, including a new bridge over Loch Long, which would reduce dependence on the A83 at the Rest and Be Thankful; considers that the successful campaign for the reintroduction of the Borders rail link has already led to substantial economic and social benefit for the Borders; expects that even greater benefits would accrue to Cowal, Bute and wider Argyll from a fixed link, including much needed population growth; recommends that the example of the Borders rail link be noted by Argyll and Bute Council and other stakeholders, and supports the aim of the group to secure funding for a detailed feasibility study into the establishment of a fixed link to revolutionise access to Cowal from West Central Scotland by road and/or rail.
And what do the people of Cowal think of this project? Yes, many I’m sure will like the idea, but there may well be many more that won’t. A lot of people have moved to Cowal and further afield to be away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. A fixed link may well make Cowal into another urban area, and may lose even more of their local services, and have to travel to the likes of Helensburgh for them. Why did Dunoon and Cowal thrive some twenty years ago, and is in decline today? Maybe this question needs answered first. Be careful what you wish for.