Glasgow, Queen Margaret Drive, Queen Margaret Bridge

NS56NE 2241 57072 67513

Queen Margaret Bridge [NAT]

OS 1:1250 map, 1971.

For predecessor Walker's Bridge (NS c. 5717 6741), see NS56NE 2896.

Queen Margaret Bridge (2): built 1926-9 by Thomas Somers and Considiere Constructions Ltd, engineers, at a cost of £108,424. A reinforced concrete segmental bridge with small semicircular arches for footpaths on both sides. The concrete is faced with red Corncockle sandstone, and there are solid red Peterhead granite parapets. The main span is 135ft 6ins [41.3m] long.

J R Hume 1974.

Queen Margaret Bridge, 1926-9. Designed by T P M Somers (City Engineer) with Considere Constructions Ltd; contractor Wm Taylor and Son. A large concrete reinforced concrete arch over the river with pedestrian arches through both abutments, and carrying Queen Margaret Drive high above the valley. The arch is a little askew, and spans 41m (135ft). The facades are clad with very smooth and finely jointed red Corncockle sandstone, mimicking voussoir arches with keystones, and topped by cornice and parapet of polished red Peterhead granite, including short lengths of open balustrade. The width between parapets is a generous 24m (80ft).

E Williamson, A Riches and M Higgs 1990.

The present Queen Margaret's Drive Bridge stands near the site of the old Queen Margaret College (now part of the University). It formed part of the major road improvement scheme that cut off the BBC's buildings (NS56NE 151) from the Botanic Gardens (NS56NE 83.00), and was designed by the City Engineers, Mr T P M Somers. It was built between 1926 and 1929 at a cost of around £108,000.

Despite outward appearances, the bridger is only faced with red sandstone, being in reality a reinforced concrete arch. With a single river span of 135ft [41.2m] and attractive red Peterhead granite parapets framing an 80ft [24.4m] wide road high above the water, the overal impression is created of a rather grand bridge.

D Boyce 1996.

This bridge carries Queen Margaret Drive across the River Kelvin to the NE of Kelvingrove Park (NS56NE 328). The river here forms the boundary between the parishes of Govan (to the SW) and Glasgow (to the NE).

The location cited defines the centre of the structure. The available map evidence indicates that it extends from NS c. 57062 67502 to NS c. 57093 67522.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 5 December 2005.