Fears are growing that a historic Galloway bridge could be irreparably damaged unless action is taken to stop unlawful use by HGVs.
Residents say lorry drivers regularly flout width restrictions on the Old Brig o’ Dee for a shortcut between the nearby A75 and Rhonehouse.
In the latest incident a lorry and low loader carrying farm vehicles was spotted trying to negotiate the bridge.
Local resident Ian Lindsay told the News: “On Monday, a large truck carrying farm equipment crossed the bridge before getting stuck because it was too long to turn the corner at the far end.
“It then spent the next 20 minutes reversing back into the village and heading off.
“The width limits were clearly ignored. We are really getting fed up with this now.
“We don’t want the bridge to be closed because it will mean a three-mile detour for us. We just want the police to take action.”
Balmaghie Community Council member and Bridge of Dee resident Ian Finlayson said common sense should have told the HGV driver not to attempt the narrow bridge.
And he vowed to continue to press for a solution to the long-running issue.
He said: “He should have known six foot six limit means six foot six in anybody’s language.
“Rhonehouse has got a sign saying there’s a width restriction on the bridge further ahead and the community council has been saying there needs to be a sign at the A75 saying the same thing.
“Lorry drivers coming off the A75 take a chance on the bridge.
“Then they realise when they get to the end there’s a 90-degree bend that they can’t get round.
“So there either needs to be a sign or concrete bollards to stop them using it.
“If a lorry or its load hits the parapet it could dislodge it and that would be the bridge closed.
“And it would cost the council 100 times more to repair it than doing something about it now.”
Mr Finlayson added: “We raised this at our last meeting and the one before that.
“And it will be raised at our next one and the ones after that until we get something done.”
Last August a woman fell and broke her arm on the bridge after tripping on the concrete walkway, which had been broken up by lorry wheels.
Following her accident Dumfries and Galloway Council pledged to act over heavy traffic using the A-listed structure.
Measures included repairs to the concrete slabbing, reassessment of the bridge’s load carrying capacity and the possibility of installing “physical features” to protect the bridge.
A commitment to carry out a site survey to record what types of vehicle routinely use the bridge and follow up notification to Police Scotland and NFU Scotland “if appropriate”, was also given.
The Scotland’s Oldest Bridges site describes the Old Brig o’ Dee, which was built between 1737 and 1740, as a “beautifully preserved early 18th century bridge”.
Dumfries and Galloway Council was approached for comment on the situation.
