A group of P5 pupils from Cairn Primary School had a practical lesson in engineering and Health and Safety practices on a building site when they visited a new footbridge that is under construction at the Railway Station in Maybole.

The new footbridge that was installed at a cost of approximately £400,000 has replaced the old footbridge that had reached the end of its working life.

Other works, including the refurbishment of the Railway Station and other upgrading works around the station, is still ongoing but nearing completion.

Pupils from Cairn Primary were keen to learn more about the new footbridge so the school asked the contractors Barr Ltd if they could visit the site. The contractors agreed to let the pupils visit.

When the young people arrived for their educational visit the Leader of the Council, Councillor Andy Hill, and a representative from the company constructing the footbridge greeted them. As work is still ongoing on the site each visitor had to wear a 'hard hat' and a fluorescent waistcoat to protect them and to meet Health and Safety regulations. The pupils were well prepared and had brought their clipboards, pens and paper with them to make notes or do any drawing that was required. They were also able to ask questions about the construction of the bridge and about the way in which it is being built.

Councillor Hill joined with the pupils as they visited the site and said: "The children were all very excited about their visit to the new footbridge and to the building site. Everyone was given a talk about safety regulations on building sites, and the dangers of entering them or playing on them, which I think was a great lesson for the children. I am sure that the children will remember their visit for years to come.

"Once the footbridge is complete people will have access to stairs to cross from one side of the railway line to the other and a series of graduated ramps will also be in place. This means that wheelchair users, people pushing prams, or those who have medical conditions which make it hard for them to climb stairs will be able to travel across the bridge."

It is anticipated that the new footbridge and other work in the area of the Railway Station will be completed later this year, when there will be an official ceremony to mark the opening of the footbridge.

Councillor Andy Hill is pictured with the pupils from Cairn Primary School on the ramp section of the new footbridge at Maybole Railway Station.

October 2005