Crossing The Clyde From Side To Side

A Historic And Geographical Tour

The Clyde took a lot of effort to cross. The Glasgow Bridge (a k a Broomilaw Bridge, a k a Jamaica Bridge) was opened in 1772 and rebuilt in 1833.

A second city centre crossing, George V Bridge ...

.... opened in 1928. Between the two was the Caledonian Railway Bidge taking trains into Glasgow Central. The first pridge opened in 1878 ...

... and was extended and/or replaced in 1905.

Jointly, these three were the last road or rail crossings before the open sea.

The Glasgow subway (underground) tunnels do not feature in this blog.

The banks  of the river, right up to the bridges (and beyond for smaller vessels) was heavily industrialised.

You would find sights like the above hard to believe today, especially as the next new bridge westbound is this beauty.

Officially called the Tradeston Footbridge, it is better known as the Squiggly Bridge. It opened in 2009.

It is generally acknowledged that the next crossing, th Kingston Bridge, was one of Glasgow's worst mistakes. 

Its purpose was to get the M8 across the Clyde. But to get the motorway through the city, huge areas of housing had to be demolished with some traditional areas (e.g. Charing Cross) being wiped off the map.

A motorway map of the city shows just what an intrusion it was ...

... but the horrors of the demolition and road building were really tragic.

The Kingston Bridge opened in 1970.

Next up, maybe better next down (stream), is thee delightfully named Squinty Bridge.

It is more formally known as the Clyde Arc bridge ...

... and opened in 2006,

The dotted lunes to the left on the above map show the location of the Clyde Harbour foot tunnel.

Sadly it closed in 1980 having opened in 1896.

Next come two more footbridges. They both link developed (i.e. rebuilt) areas of the north an south banks of the river.

Bells (foot)Bridge ...

... opened in 1988 and the Millennium footbridge ...

... opened, running a bit late, in 2002.

Next comes the Clyde Road tunnel which includes footpaths (if you dare!) ...

... because it's a bit spooky with heavy security acting as a friendly welcome!

It opened in stages in 1963 and 1964. The associated road network is only slightly less intrusive than the M8.

So we come to the final crossing, namely the spectacular but very under-used Erskine \Bridge.

It opened in 1971 and links the now-complete motorway network south of the Clyde with the main north bank routes to Dumbarton, Loch Lomond and the tourist hot spots of West Scotland.

That tour de force of Clyde's bridges forms a somewhat overwhelming introduction to tomorrow's blog which reveals two more bridges in the Glasgow area, both currently under construction.

Both replace long standing ferries.

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Having met the risen Jesus, Mary went back to report to the APOSTLES, a posh name for the 12 (soon to be reduced to 11 with the suicide of Judas), i.e. the closest "gang" that accompanied Jesus.

Look closely at Jesus' hands, laid on the table. He showed them those pierced hands which clearly revealed the ...

... of his execution.

These would be particularly important for one disciple/apostle who wasn't there at the time.

No private motor transport available then, obviously.

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 Next Glasgow bridges blog : Friday 5th April