A SCOTTISH railway station's historic footbridge is to be relocated 80 miles to a heritage site it was revealed yesterday.
Dunblane Railway Station's C-Listed Victorian footbridge is to be removed as part of a planned £3.5 million revamp in time for the Ryder Cup which takes place at nearby Gleneagles next year.
Network Rail has submitted a planning application to replace a 20th century ramped 'blue bridge' at the station. But in order to install its replacement, the company says the 165-year-old station's old footbridge must also be moved.
The footbridge, which links platforms one and two, will be taken in sections to the Caledonian Railway at Bridge of Dun, in Angus, where it will become a feature of the four-mile heritage line.
A Network Rail spokesman said: "We have submitted a planning application to Stirling Council in respect of proposals to build step-free access across Dunblane Station under Access for All – which is designed to improve access within stations for people with impaired mobility, travelling with luggage, children, cycles etc.
"It is proposed that a new, accessible footbridge at Dunblane station will be constructed over the next nine months. It will include lifts and stairs. We hope that the bridge will be open by Spring 2014."
Construction work will be carried out by Balfour Beatty, and Network Rail has said the design will be sympathetic to the area.
The plans are set to go on display on the afternoon of August 15 at Dunblane's Victoria Halls as part of an information day.
The issue has been debated at Dunblane Community Council, who said an official response would be made once detailed plans were outlined.
However, community councillor Kate Fawcett said she was unhappy that there hadn't been more public engagement on the plans.
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