Squirrel bridge

Councillors are being asked to decide whether a rope bridge can be strung across the A933 Arbroath to Forfar road to help red squirrels cross.

According to the report placed before the committee, a request has been made for the crossing by the Arbroath Red Squirrel Group following the deaths of a number of squirrels run down by traffic near the Rosely Hotel on the outskirts of Arbroath.

The red squirrel is a “UK priority species” whose population is steadily declining and research suggests that if the rate of decline continues the red squirrel could be extinct on mainland Britain within 20 years.

“The number of red squirrels in the vicinity and the casualty rate through road vehicles on the A933 is unknown,” infrastructure services director Eric Lowson said.

“Local residents are aware of small number of deaths amongst the population over the last couple of years but report several other ‘near misses.’

“There are examples of rope bridges elsewhere in Scotland, on the A923 Coupar Angus road and Templeton roads in Dundee, each with spans of approximately 12 metres.

“These were erected and are maintained by Dundee City Council, being part of Camperdown Country Park.”

The proposed rope crossing at Arbroath would span 16 metres between a lime tree and a beech tree to achieve a seven metre minimum clearance above the road.

The landowners on each side of the road have given their permission for the rope bridge.

The council have carried out a risk assessment of the proposal and cite a number of other issues which give rise to concern.

“The significant hazards have been identified as death or serious injury to the public from the rope swinging free and colliding with a pedestrian or causing a vehicle to swerve resulting in an accident,” Mr Lowson continued.

“Arguably the sight of a squirrel crossing the road on such a rope could cause a distraction to a driver as well but the erection of warning signs in advance of the area may serve to mitigate this.

“There are residual concerns over how control can be kept with regard to trees not in the ownership of the council which, as living entities, can change in time with no onus on landowners to report such change which may result from natural phenomenon such as lighting, storm damage, drought or accident damage.”

The estimated cost of the rope is £1000 which is available from the planning and transport budget.

“Examples of squirrel rope bridges exist elsewhere in Scotland and the provision of such might be considered to demonstrate the commitment of the council to the protection and enhancement of the species, although the size of the population at risk here is thought to be small,” Mr Lowson added.

“Balanced against this must be the safety aspect and ongoing maintenance needs of such a structure with public safety of paramount importance, together with the establishment of a precedent.”