Glasgow, Great Western Road, Great Western Bridge

NS56NE 4892 c. 5746 6697

For first and third (current) bridges at this location, see NS56NE 4891 and NS56NE 1035 respectively.

This bridge [the third bridge: NS56NE 1035] replaced a three-arch stone high-level bridge [the second bridge: NS56NE 4892] (opened in 1840), which was itself a replacement of a three-arch low level bridge; both survived until the construction of the new bridge [NS56NE 1035].

J R Hume 1974.

The second bridge at this location was built to promote the further westawrd development of Glasgow; a grand road running out from the city centre was to incorporate a major new bridge over the Kelvin. The foundation stone was laid by Sheriff Allison on 2 November 1838, and the bridge was formally opened in 1840. It crossed the first bridge (NS56NE 4891) at an angle, and was 35ft [10.7m] above the river bed. The first bridge remained in use throughout the life of the second, which crossed it at an angle.

The second bridge was built in freestone, and comprised two large arches (over the Kelvin) and two smaller land arches. A width of 27ft [8.2m] was considered adequate at first. In 1858, the Water Commissioners constructed an independent 14ft [4.3m] wide extension on the N side to carry their main pipes from Loch Katrine [LIN 31]. The two surfaces were then joined into a single roadway, which was considerably narrower than Great Western Road itself.

(The published photographs shows first bridge curving under this bridge).

D Boyce 1996.

This bridge formerly carried Great Western Road across the River Kelvin, which here forms the boundary between the parishes of Govan (to the W) and Glasgow (to the E). The location cited is essentially tentative.

Together with the first bridge, this structure was demolished during the construction of the present bridge.

Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 5 December 2005.