Glasgow Ironwork

[Mark N]

Humpback Bridge, behind the Botanic Gardens:

[Mori]

At last the Albert bridge back on the agenda for being repaired.

ITEM 6
29th August 2011

Albert Bridge

Purpose of Report:
The purpose of this report is to inform Committee about Albert Bridge and the
current status of the proposed improvement project.
Recommendations:
Committee is asked to note the contents of this report

1. Background
Albert Bridge completed in 1871
125 metre total length 3 span wrought and cast iron arch bridge over the River Clyde
Category A listed
Concrete deck strengthened in 2000 to prevent closure of the bridge to
vehicles
Insufficient funds at this time meant that the rest of the upgrading work had to be deferred to a later phase 2 scheme
potentially the jewel in the crown of Glasgow's significant heritage and
engineering collection of bridges over the Clyde
2. Current Project
only at outline stage -
condition of the bridge is poor
will use earlier investigation and design work
replace old concrete deck edge with reinforced concrete local to parapets
replace parapets with identical modern ductile equivalents
provides vehicle containment to modern standards
repair and restore cast iron façades
blast and paint entire bridge
restore original gilding and armorial crests
install heritage lighting
install aesthetic lighting
clean and repair masonry
3. Cost
estimated project cost £2.4M
4. Funding
no funding confirmed at present
external funding applications required
GCC contribution required
5. Programme
Not formalised but possible scenario as follows –
Review of project, look at funding options
January 2012 to May 2012 – listed building consent, detailed design,
contract preparation
June 2012 – tender issue
February 2013 – works start on
6. Detail
Further information and images can be found in Appendix A to this report.
7. Service Implications
Financial: GCC funding required but not identified. Quantum
dependent on whether any external contribution can be
secured.
Legal: None
Personnel: None
Service Plan: This project contributes to Council objectives of building a
prosperous city and developing Glasgow’s metropolitan
role.
Environmental: None
8. Recommendations
Committee is asked to note the contents of this report
ROBERT BOOTH
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
LAND & ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES
26 MAY 2011

Appendix A
Proposed Refurbishment Works
The work proposed to refurbish the bridge includes:
a) Removal of all parapets and replacement with identical cast ductile iron
parapets.
b) Replacement of the insitu mass concrete deck slab with a reinforced
concrete deck slab local to the parapets.
c) Cast iron façade repairs and refurbishment.
d) Masonry repairs and cleaning.
e) Repainting the structure in original colours including all crests and
reinstatement of gilding work on facades.
f) Replacement of temporary lighting columns with authentic ornamental
lighting columns mounted on the masonry at the piers and abutments.
g) Provision of 2 no. ornamental life-belt poles at 1/3 points on each side
(h) Installation of an aesthetic lighting system
The images below indicate how the refurbished bridge may appear if the above
works were carried out.

Estimate of Costs
The estimated cost for the project is £2.4M.
Detailed estimates will be prepared once proposals have been fully developed.
Funding Sources
The possibility of securing contributory external funding is being looked at.
Historic Scotland and the Heritage Lottery Fund are the obvious first
organizations to engage with.
Internal funding will be required and the total funding package will be reviewed
when the amount of external finance gained, if any, is known.

Timescales
The potential outline programme for the project could be as follows:
Jun 2011 – Dec 2011 review of project, look at funding options
Jan 2012 – May 2012 seek Listed Building Consent, detailed design and
contract drafting
Jun 2012 tender issue
Sep 2012 – Dec 2012 make new iron castings off site
Feb 2013 works start on site
Aug 2013 works complete

[Mark N]

As you mentioned it:

Albert Bridge by Mark in Glasgow Southside, on Flickr

[norman mcnamee]

Have any of you spotted iron gates and railings made by A & J Main, Possilpark, the steelworks were located next door to McFarlanes foundry

Bye for now, norrie

[cell]

Couple of A & J Main ones in this thread norrie
http://www.hiddenglasgow.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=7439

[norman mcnamee]

Hi cell, I have checked out that thread, some names are very famliar to me

[The Egg Man]

DESIGNS for elaborate Victorian ironworks have been unearthed in a city garden.

Andrew Reilly of Garrowhill made the discovery after lifting old paving slabs to find their undersides covered in writing and sketches.

Around 60 slabs carry decorative designs showing railings, gates, fountains and columns, each with their own name and number.

The slabs, which Andrew, 41, was removing in order to lay a patio, date back to at least the 1930s when the house was built.

They have now been revealed as lithographic stones, used to make prints for the long-defunct firm Walter Macfarlane.

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/any- ... n.21607869

[norman mcnamee]

Interesting, I remember the foundry, it was still working up to the late 50s and the there was still scrap steel going into the foundry in the early 60s, I worked next door to in in A & J Mains Structural Enginneers