Media centre

Wednesday 24 Apr 2019

Bridge refurbishment re-connects Glasgow conservation areas

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

Network Rail has completed the refurbishment of the former Strathbungo station footbridge connecting Moray Place and Darnley Road on Glasgow’s southside.

The Grade C listed structure, constructed in 1877 at the same time as the now-closed Strathbungo Station, was refurbished and repainted in a style befitting the area’s conservation status in an investment worth £650,000.
The work was needed due to the age and condition of the structure in order to protect the safety of those using the bridge and the trains operating below.

Work included blasting off old paint, inspecting and repairing the steel beneath before replacing the deck and repainting the bridge in black and white; a colour scheme in keeping with the other adjacent fencing.

Vegetation three metres either side of the structure which connects the Strathbungo and East Pollokshields conservation areas, was also cleared to protect the refurbished structure and to present the bridge in a positive light.

3.5 tonnes of steel, secured by more than 1,000 fixings, was used to repair and strengthen the bridge deck’s sub structure and 600 litres of paint was applied to restore it to its former glory. The renovation of the structure was delivered by Taziker Industrial on behalf of Network Rail.

The footbridge closed in September 2018 for the six-month duration of the work and a lane restriction was in place on Darnley Road to enable work to be delivered safely and efficiently.

Susan Rennie, Network Rail project manager for the bridge refurbishment said, “Network Rail is committed to preserving its railway heritage and our first option is to protect and refurbish where possible.

“We liaised with the local community throughout the project and the feedback we have received on completion of the work has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Repairing and strengthening a structure that is more than 140 years old is a challenge in itself, even more so in a railway environment. However, the team stepped up to the challenge and we are delighted with the quality of work that has been delivered.”

Jane Carolan, Chair of the Strathbungo Society said, “Generations of young and young at heart locals have enjoyed the great game of waving at the trains from our Victorian railway bridge, and if they were  lucky, getting a toot from  the driver. Sadly in recent years, it has been deteriorating due to rust, as iron bridges do, and the Strathbungo Society was worried about the loss of this great local amenity. 

"The bridge provides safe, traffic free passage between the Bungo and our Pollokshields neighbours, it encourages  local walkers and cyclists, and access in both directions between our local parks; Queens Park and Maxwell Park . 

"Thankfully, Network Rail more than  took these concerns on board, and we now have a splendid restoration of the original with valuable improvements like a non slip surface, that will be welcomed by anyone who had hesitantly teetered along  the original on a cold frosty morning. And new generations of local children can continue the train game.”