Bowling Bridge
former Swing bridge at Bowling Harbour in West Dunbartonshire that carried the Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway across the upper and lower basins at the western entrance to the Forth & Clyde Canal and after a half-century of disuse is being developed as an active travel route
Region:
Red Wheel Site:
Transport Mode(s):
Address:
Bowling Harbour,
Dumbarton Rd,
Bowling
Postcode:
Visitor Centre:
Website:
Visit website
History
Carried the Caledonian Railway's Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire Railway which duplicated the North British Railway in providing a line for freight and passengers along the north bank of the Clyde from Glasgow to Dumbarton where the two at last joined - and the railway thence to Balloch was a joint line.
A signalbox was mounted above the running lines to the immediate west. The pivot was just to the east, and the bridge swung to the north so as to allow large boats through.
There was a second swingbridge which no longer exists to the west carrying the freight branchline to Bowling Harbour. Bowling had a shipyard until 1979
Arches were let as commercial premises, preserving the bridge after closure in 1964. It no longer swings, but the canal reopened in 2001 for coast-to-coast traffic as the Millennium Link.
The bridge can be viewed from West Highland and North Electrics trains on the adjacent North British Railway route
Today
Lovingly restored as part of the latest stage of a £3.2 million transformation of the area – which could pave the way for a new linear park inspired by New York City’s Highline.
The installation of a new ramp now on site will connect the bridge to the lower level which houses local businesses, improving access for everyone walking, wheeling and cycling. The new ramp will connect active travellers passing through Bowling to the local businesses located in the renovated arches, boosting the local economy and supporting new jobs
Text: John Yellowlees
Photo credits:
Thomas Nugent / Bowling swing bridge
Rebecca Jackson
Scottish Canals
Jeremy Watson
Off the A82(T) Great Western Road. Nearest station is Bowling. One hundred parking spaces are available.
Hood, John (2004). Old Bowling, Duntocher, Hardgate, Milton and Old Kilpatrick. Stenlake Publishing.