Thurso Mall Walk

This page describes the development of the Mall Project and idicates its successful completion by way of press report and photographs reproduced at the end of this web page.

In 1999 The Rotary Club of Thurso considered that as part of their Community Service programme, attention should be paid to the deterioration of the path system and inadequacy of the facilities provided in the Thurso Riverside walk generally known collectively as the Mall.

Initially the intention was to identify the areas urgently needing attention and to approach the responsible Bodies concerned to persuade them to effect some improvements and maintenance measures where possible. However, when the scale of the remedial works became apparent it was decided to meet with local Highland Regional Councillors and other concerned organisations to discuss the problems and to agree the initial steps required to improve the Mall and general leisure area.

The meeting took place on October 2000 and present were local HRC Councillors including Caithness Area Convenor John Rosie who chaired the meeting, HRC Officials, Representatives of Thurso Community Council, Traders Associations, Rotarians and Others.
A proposal document was tabled by The Rotary Club of Thurso for consideration. This document included the formation of new sections of paths where flood damage had taken place and essential repairs to naturally damaged and vandalised areas of the path system all lying to the West bank of the Thurso River. The document provided a comprehensive description of the Works including drawings, specifications and estimated costings prepared by Architect and Civil Engineer members of The Rotary Club.

Resulting out of the deliberations which took place at the meeting, and thereafter, it was decided to proceed with the new paths and relevant repairs and, most importantly, funding for the project became available from Highland Regional budgets with direct control for the contract placed with Mr A Sutherland, Footpaths Officer, HRC. The Rotary Club contribution, in addition to the provision of contract documents, included on site supervision and the overall cost of The Rotary Club involvement was calculated financially at £1,000.

A tender for the Riverside Works was accepted and placed by HRC with a local contractor and the work proceeded in December 2000 with completion being achieved at the end of March 2001. The overall cost of the Works was a figure of approximately £15,000 inclusive of VAT and Professional Fees. The reaction to the improvements by users of the Riverside Walk was very favourable and in general it was agreed that it was an extremely worthwhile exercise of benefit to all.

The experience gained from the initial project prompted discussions in The Rotary Club and resulted in a decision to expand the scope of the original concept by means of the preparation of a comprehensive long term Development Plan of the Mall and Riverside area, it was hoped by the Thurso Rotarians that such a Study would act as a catalyst for all who are able to contribute to the rejuvenation of the area.

It was decided to examine proposals over an area bounded by the trunk road Thurso Bridge to the North and the Salmon Pool weir to the South including the extensive tree belt and Mall area to the West and the natural boundary of the Mill Lade and Millbank Road to the East.

The object of the Study was simple. It was to provide improved and more pleasant access to an enhanced Riverside/Mall for everyone including the regretfully neglected wheelchair users. Not many towns or villages in the Highlands and Islands can boast a dominant natural feature such as the Riverside Walk and Mall in Thurso and The Rotary Club of Thurso along with others were determined that every step is taken to preserve and emphasise this feature for the future.

The Study included help and contributions from the following individuals but is not exhaustive:
Caithness Area Convenor John Rosie - Highland Regional Council
Mr A Sutherland, Footpaths Officer - Highland Regional Council
Miss M Legge, Ranger Service - Highland Regional Council
Kerry Jones - British Trust Conservation Volunteers
Mr T Jackson, Chairman - Thurso Community Council
Councillor A Macdonald - HRC/Rotary Club of Thurso
B Leonard - Rotary Club of Thurso
D Sinclair - Rotary Club of Thurso
D Warren, MICE - Rotary Club of Thurso
J Campbell, FRIAS - Rotary Club of Thurso

Areas of work to be carried out were identified as follows:

Updating West bank footpath
Renewal of Woodlands
Upgrade West bank gravel path
Repair gabion baskets
Wheelchair access/Cemetery bridge
Raise sections of path, East bank
Bridge, Lade Path and Platform
Reclaim existing track
Raise path at Lade crossover
Bulb planting
Drainage to wet areas
Removal of dead trees, Boating Pond, etc
New path between footbridge and Salmon Pool
Viewing platform at Salmon Pool
Benches, bins, etc

As the development of the ambitious project progressed it became clear that a phased programme would be nessary to complete the Clubs plans.  Phase one was completed in 2001 followed by the opening of the completed scheme in 2003.

The project was so successful that the Club received an environmental Achievement Award which was reported in the press thus:

ROTARY CLUB OF THURSO – ENVIRONMENT AWARD ACHIEVEMENT

 Thurso Rotary Club has picked up a UK-wide award to recognise its leading role in major improvements carried out to a popular leisure haunt in the town.  The club has overseen a pro­gramme of work to regenerate the riverside area and open it up for the first time to wheelchair-users.  Costing £190,000, the project took in both banks of the river from the main road bridge to the weir at the salmon pool.  The scheme at the Mall has won the club this year’s environment award handed out by Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland. 

 The achievement was marked at an almost regular club meeting which was attended by representatives of the Highland Council and others involved in the initiative.  Senior club vice-president Ian Thomson said the Mall project has been an outstanding success.  “It’s a magnificent achievement and a culmination of three years of hard work.” he said. “It’s a magnifi­cent example of what can be done.”

Iain had travelled to pick up the trophy at a RIBI conference in Bournemouth.

 The driving force behind the scheme was architect James Campbell, who worked on the plans along with Past President Dave Warren. a civil engineer.  James said the organization has a history of carrying out environ­mental improvements.  This has included the building of a plinth on the cliff-top Victoria Walk, the refurbishment of the town centre Meadow Well and regular beach-cleans.  It first got involved in the Mall 10 years ago when it carried out some tree-planting and then three years ago when it helped repair paths.  James said it then became evident that this work was only scratching the surface of what was a major task.  He set about preparing a blue­print, taking in the length of the Mall including the woodlands and the mill lade. This was out of a recognition that the area was a major asset which was in danger of losing its appeal because of decades of neglect.  Some sections of the path were so poor that they were no-go areas after spells of heavy rain. James said: “Not many towns in the Highlands can boast a walk like the Mall and we were deter­mined to retain it to ensure future generations can enjoy it.”

Included in the work was refur­bishment to the paths on both sides of the river and the provision of ramps for wheelchair access to the bridges near the boating pond and below the cemetery.  Contractor John Gunn installed drains and theme lighting, while trees were felled and replanted and thousands of bulbs and roses planted. Thurso Rotary Club’s con­tribution was the estimated £15,000 in professional fees which Messrs Campbell and Warren would have incurred had they charged. The bulk of the funding came from the Highland Council with Caithness and Sutherland Enterprise also con­tributing.

James said that the club intends playing an ongoing role in future improvements to the area. A further eight years of renewing the woodlands is planned at an estimated cost of £24,000. The club also wants to work with Thurso Town Improvements Association to kick-start plans to revamp the children’s play area at Millbank.  In addition, James is keen to turn his attention to the Victoria Walk which is in need of improve­ments to combat the effects of coastal erosion. He said major works are required to restore the path network.  “I’d be surprised if you got any change out of £150,000 over the next ten years,’ he said.

Among the guests at the dinner in the Pentland Hotel last week was Orcadian George Berstan, the RIBI’s North of Scotland assistant governor.  He said the prestigious award and the £200 cheque is well deserved.

“Earlier on, I walked down the Mall and I'm impressesd by what Thurso has done. Congratulations on a job well done.”

Mike Potts and Iain Thomson with the Environment Award

 

John Thurso MP performs the opening ceremony

  

    

  

  

 

Sadly the bridge shown in the pictures was washed away by floods but once again Rotary have played a major part in the Mall development in gaining a replacement crossing and this should be well underway in 2009.