In the recent Courier article, the Tay Road Bridge Board explained that the bridge is a 60‑year‑old structure exposed to high winds and therefore cannot support higher barriers. I appreciate that the Board has taken the time to meet with representatives and to outline the challenges they face. However, I believe this explanation does not fully reflect the engineering possibilities available today.
The Board’s position focuses on the limitations of adding solid high barriers. But that is not what I am asking for. I am asking for the consideration of wind‑permeable fencing or railings.
Open‑mesh structures designed to allow wind to pass through while still providing a physical deterrent. These systems exist, they are used worldwide, and they can be adapted for older bridges.
There is also a relevant comparison close to home. The Forth Road Bridge, only 43 miles south, was built in the same era and faces similar wind conditions. In 2023, a Glasgow civil engineering student won a national award for research proposing a modern, wind‑permeable suicide‑prevention system specifically for that bridge. This shows that age and wind exposure do not automatically rule out safety improvements. Engineering continues to evolve, and solutions are being developed for structures of exactly this type.
Given these facts, the next logical step is an independent engineering review focused specifically on wind‑permeable safety options. This ensures that all modern solutions are properly assessed, rather than relying solely on assumptions based on older design limitations.
Walk with Phoenix believes this is the right way to proceed. We are not about criticising the work already done, nor questioning the commitment of those who manage the bridge. It is about making sure that every possible avenue is explored with the full benefit of current engineering knowledge. If there are solutions that could prevent even one more family from experiencing the loss we have, then they deserve to be examined thoroughly and independently.
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