Roisin led a successful campaign to save the Pride Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle route that connected a busy residential area with the main road, shops, public transport, and schools. This bridge was more than a passage; it was a gathering place with a vibrant beer garden and a safe, pedestrianised area for children to play. The bridge also served as a community art project, painted in rainbow colours to represent LGBTQI+ pride, and was the first such monument in Edinburgh, visible even from aeroplanes entering the city. When the bridge fell into disrepair, Roisin launched a petition and campaigned tirelessly to urge the council to refurbish, rather than demolish, the much-loved landmark.
The community rallied around the Save the Pride Bridge campaign, recognising the bridge’s role as a symbol of inclusivity and as a cherished space for gathering. Local volunteers, who had initially painted the bridge with Pride and Trans Pride flags, and other residents showed immense support. Together, they highlighted the bridge’s role in fostering community spirit and its unique value to Edinburgh’s LGBTQI+ community.
Thanks to Roisin and her team’s relentless advocacy, the campaign secured funding from Sustrans’ Places for Everyone programme through Transport for Scotland, with nearly a quarter of a million pounds allocated for the bridge’s restoration. The council appointed Mott McDonald as the new designer, and public input is invited on the bridge’s redesign—with a rainbow likely to remain a core feature. Roisin’s commitment has kept the bridge’s legacy alive, symbolising resilience and community pride.
Roisin’s efforts in saving the Pride Bridge underscore her role as a community leader and a champion of inclusivity. Through her work with the Dreadnought pub, she has fostered a space for diverse groups, supported local causes through fundraisers, food banks, and winter clothing drives, and created a hub for celebrating the queer community. Her PubAid Community Pub Hero award nomination by Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her community.
