Paisley Road West Bridge

History

The Paisley Road West railway bridge, constructed in 1909, carries Paisley Road over the former General Terminus railway branch. The line closed in the 1970s, with the tracks removed and the track beds on both sides of the bridge redeveloped.

(South parapet in 2001 where intense urbanisation has taken place over the years since the railway’s closure)

About the structure

In 2013, we took over the management of the bridge on behalf of the Department for Transport. Prior to this the bridge was owned by the Scottish Development Agency (SDA) who had infilled one span and partially infilled the three other spans.

(Bridge from south parapet side)

What is the project?

In response to persistent anti-social behaviour in the area, posing a public safety concern, we aim to finish the work started by the SDA. Our proposals are supported by neighbouring landowners, particularly those owning Festival Park, who anticipate that our work on the bridge will deter loitering, drug use, and help protect the public from harassment. The presence of needles and persistent loitering beneath the bridge, even though it is fenced off, also presents a risk to our engineers examining the bridge as part of our ongoing management of its condition.

(Span one in 2019 filled with typical rubbish and drug paraphernalia dumped)

(Span one in 2022 following site clearance)

What stage is it at?

Following full Stakeholder Advisory Forum (SAF) discussion the Secretary of State for Transport has approved our recommendation to seek planning permission to complete infill of the three bridge’s spans.

We’ll submit an application to Glasgow City Council in due course.

We’re in discussion with all relevant stakeholders about our proposal and will regularly update this page when we have further information to share.