Polmadie Bridge

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The original bridge prior to its demolition, seen from the north bank (2005) Polmadie Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 960845.jpg
The original bridge prior to its demolition, seen from the north bank (2005)
The new bridge in place, seen from the south bank (2022) Polmadie Footbridge (geograph 7162781).jpg
The new bridge in place, seen from the south bank (2022)

The Polmadie Bridge is a footbridge that crosses the River Clyde, Glasgow, Scotland [1] between Glasgow Green (the Flesher's Haugh area which is largely football pitches) to its north, and Oatlands (at the west side of Richmond Park) to its south.

Contents

History

The first version of a bridge at the site was wooden, constructed from 1899 and completed in 1901, opening on the same day (13 June) as the original version of the nearby King's Bridge. This structure was partly destroyed by fire in 1921 and rebuilt by Sir William Arrol & Co., closing in 1939. [2] [3]

The replacement bridge, being four feet (1.2 metres) narrower than its predecessor, was constructed in 1954–1955, made from prestressed concrete. [4] It was closed by Glasgow City Council on 14 May 2015, for reasons of public safety. [5] Press Reports dated 16 July 2015 indicated the bridge was to be demolished – leaving concrete piers, and allowing restrictions on the stretch of river to be removed. Work to remove the bridge deck, leaving the concrete piers in place, began in October 2015. [6] [7] Demolition took about five months, after which access to footpaths along the riverbanks was restored. [8]

In their 2017/2018 budget announced 16 February 2017, Glasgow City Council listed plans to "Build a new cycle and footbridge between Oatlands and Glasgow Green – replacing the demolished Polmadie Bridge" as one of the key projects for the financial year. [9] Construction of the new bridge began in late 2017, with the initial £1.3 million cost [10] funded by the local authority augmented by an additional £500,000 from the sustainable transport charity Sustrans. By May 2018, the five 25-tonne beams comprising the base had been lifted into place using a large crane. [11] [12] The new bridge was completed and formally opened in August 2018. [13] [14] [15]

See also

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References

  1. Glasgow, Glasgow Green, Polmadie Bridge, Canmore
  2. Polmadie Bridge, 'Civil Engineering heritage: Scotland - Lowlands and Borders', R Paxton and J Shipway; Thomas Telford Publishers, 2007; via Canmore
  3. Glasgow, Glasgow Green, Former Polmadie Bridge, Canmore
  4. Polmadie Bridge at Glasgow City Council
  5. Memories of the Polmadie Bridge, Glasgow South and Eastwood Extra, 25 July 2015
  6. "Demolition of Polmadie footbridge over River Clyde to start". BBC News . 5 October 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  7. Glasgow, Glasgow Green, Polmadie Bridge, Canmore (2017, images during bridge absence period)
  8. Campaign is launched to re-open Polmadie Bridge in Glasgow, The Herald, 24 October 2016
  9. Glasgow confirms 3% council tax increase to safeguard local services and investment, Glasgow City Council
  10. Polmadie Footbridge Reconstruction, George Leslie Ltd
  11. "East end footbridge works reach major milestone". Glasgow Live. 10 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  12. "New footbridge is a link across the River Clyde". Evening Times . 18 May 2018. Retrieved 14 August 2018.
  13. Live, Glasgow (22 August 2018). "Polmadie footbridge opens today to reconnect Glasgow Green with southside community". Glasgowlive. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  14. "New Polmadie Footbridge Reconnects Communities". Glasgow City Council. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
  15. "Polmadie bridge official opening". George Leslie Ltd. 18 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.

55°50′33″N4°14′07″W / 55.8425°N 4.2354°W / 55.8425; -4.2354