Stockingfield Junction footbridge, Glasgow

This new bridge will offer people living and visiting North Glasgow better walking, wheeling and cycling connectivity than before.

Michael Matheson | Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport

Progress

100%

on time

89%

Local labour under 40 miles

100%

On budget

The Stockingfield Bridge project aims to reconnect three communities in north Glasgow, Ruchill, Gilshochill and Maryhill and will complete the last link in the Forth & Clyde Canal towpath. The original towpath was severed back in the 18^th century following the construction of the Bowling branch of the canal. The installation of the new cable stayed footbridge will improve travel and provide better access routes to leisure and employment opportunities in the west end and city centre.

The new, curved footbridge was designed to meet the needs of a wide range of canal users. It also features an integrated observation deck and landscaping to provide better access to green and blue spaces on the canal. New public recreational spaces will also be created with art installations in an aim to boost use of the canal.

To aid the design of the footbridge, Balfour Beatty’s in-house survey team carried out an extensive range surveys, including;

Traditional GPS & total station
Sonar, laser scanner and aerial photography
Canal bed levels surveying using a remote-controlled survey boat

The results of the surveys were merged with topographic data to produce a comprehensive 3D model of the site. The model was used to showcase to local residents how the bridge would look when completed.

Awarded via the SCAPE Scotland Civil Engineering framework, Scottish Canals engaged Balfour Beatty to construct a new 3.5m wide bridge comprising of two single span decks suspended on a network of cables connected to a single inclined pylon situated on the east bank of the canal.

When completed the new crossings will also enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross the canal at towpath level rather than having to negotiate the existing footways below the existing aqueduct.

A key challenge of the project was ensuring the waterways remained as accessible as possible to all canal users, whether using the towpath or the actual canal. Unfortunately, it was necessary to temporarily close sections of the canal towpaths to complete some construction works. To ensure disruption was minimised and well publicised in advance to canal users, Balfour Beatty teams regularly meet with the local Rotary Club. This helped to keep the local community informed and fostered good working relationships with all relevant stakeholders.

When completed the new bridge will link the communities of Maryhill, Gilshochill and Ruchill in the city for the first time since the waterway opened in 1790. It will also provide the last link in the canal towpath completing the National Cycle Network Route 754, which offers a traffic free route between Glasgow and Edinburgh via the Falkirk Wheel.

Testimonial

It’s great to see work commencing on an exciting new bridge for the Forth & Clyde Canal at Stockingfield Junction. Funded by the Scottish Government through the Sustrans Places for Everyone programme, this new bridge will offer people living and visiting North Glasgow better walking, wheeling and cycling connectivity than before. The Stockingfield Bridge will make it even easier for the communities of Maryhill, Ruchill and Gilshochill to get around locally in a sustainable way, as well as accessing the fantastic nature reserve at Possil Marsh. At the same time, it completes a missing link in the National Cycle Network Route 754, which offers a traffic-free route between Glasgow and Edinburgh via the spectacular Falkirk Wheel.

Michael Matheson
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity

For more updates and videos on this project, please visit Scottish Canals' dedicated Stockingfield Bridge Works Updates page and Stockingfield Bridge page.