Campaign for anti-suicide measures on Kessock Bridge

A campaign to reduce the number of suicides in Inverness is working to introduce addtional safety measures on the Kessock Bridge.

A similar campaign proved successful in Glasgow on the Erskine Bridge which saw curved barriers installed in 2011, causing a drop in suicide numbers.

On facebook the Inverness group Serentity said: 'Please support this campaign to help us get either safety barriers/safety net or anti climb material installed on the Kessock bridge.

'As we are all aware many people have decided to end their lives to suicide in the highlands and sometimes the kessock bridge is used for this purpose.

'Let's get safety precautions on the bridge to prevent suicide from happening. Suicide is everyone's business, it could be a loved one, family, friends or work colleague.

'Suicide is such a taboo subject but the highlands of Scotland has a high suicide rate.

'Let’s all come together and prevent suicide on the Kessock bridge and get some form of safety measures in place on the bridge. Let's try and reduce the suicide rates in the Highlands.

'Clifton bridge in Bristol had barriers installed and this reduced the suicide rate by half.

'For anyone that is feeling suicidal please reach out and ask for help.'

The campaign is currently focused online on Serenity's social media pages.

But Bear Scotland state taller barriers would not be possible due to strong winds on the bridge.

A spokesperson for BEAR Scotland said: 'The parapets on Kessock Bridge were previously modified to 1.4m high, which meets the required national standard for cyclists.

'Bridge parapets are primarily designed to prevent errant vehicles and cyclists falling from the bridge whilst providing safety to pedestrians using the footways.

'The bridge could not accommodate higher parapets due to the increased wind loading this would attract.

'The initial approach to preventing self-harming incidents is to identify softer solutions.

'Working with health charities and the NHS to install specialist signage such as Samaritans information is a common and effective method as part of a proven range of mitigation measures to help vulnerable persons, which we completed on the bridge in recent years.'