Dalhousie Bridge collapse 1960s?

[rileyrob]

The 1965 edition of the OS One Inch map shows an intriguing gap in the B704 at Dalhousie Bridge: https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/ind ... 4&layer=36
Does anyone know the history here? The implication is that the bridge collapsed or was washed out, but I haven't managed to find anything online about it. The current bridge is first shown on the 1:2500 sheet from 1968, the 1:10,000 sheet from the year before still shows the old bridge, but it was updated in 1965 and published in 1967, perhaps explaining why.

It is perhaps ironic that the current bridge is now subject to a 7.5T weight limit and single lane running.

[B1040]

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/20 ... es-cockpen

It looks as if the old bridge exists and is listed.

[rileyrob]

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/20 ... es-cockpen

It looks as if the old bridge exists and is listed.

No, sorry, good thought but that is the castle bridge which stood a little further upstream again. The old bridge crossed here: https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8618398 ... ?entry=ttu and the bricked up abutment can be seen from the new bridge here: https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8619704 ... ?entry=ttu

[jnty]

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/20 ... es-cockpen

It looks as if the old bridge exists and is listed.

From looking at the map fader, I think that bridge is a different one further south.

SCRAN has a Scotsman picture from 19th March 1963 showing a decidedly new looking Dalhousie Bridge. Presumably this was associated with an article about the opening of the new bridge but I don't have access to any archives.

The new bridge seems to have been higher up and involved new, straighter access roads. One side of the old bridge appears to have been here: https://www.google.com/maps/@55.8618398 ... ?entry=ttu

edit: as you've found!

[jnty]

A ten ton restriction (and 10mph speed limit!) over the bridge came into force on 25th June 1959.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/Edinburgh/ ... 0/page/395

[jnty]

The old bridge is visible in some aerial photos: https://ncap.org.uk/search?bbox=-3.0889 ... 5853087317

[KeithW]

The 1965 edition of the OS One Inch map shows an intriguing gap in the B704 at Dalhousie Bridge: https://www.sabre-roads.org.uk/maps/ind ... 4&layer=36
Does anyone know the history here? The implication is that the bridge collapsed or was washed out, but I haven't managed to find anything online about it. The current bridge is first shown on the 1:2500 sheet from 1968, the 1:10,000 sheet from the year before still shows the old bridge, but it was updated in 1965 and published in 1967, perhaps explaining why.

It is perhaps ironic that the current bridge is now subject to a 7.5T weight limit and single lane running.

That limit is presumably the result of a TRO applied as a 'temporary measure' for a period of 5 days in 2018 !
https://www.tellmescotland.gov.uk/attac ... 0limit.pdf

And yes its in the wiki

[Ross Spur]

There was a notice of closure from 7 May 1956 due to the County Surveyor's report that it was dangerous (Edinburgh Evening News 5 May 1956). A notice of 3 April 1957 stated that it had reopened.

There was a further notice of closure from 9 November 1958 due to the County Surveyor's report that it was about to become dangerous due to works (The Scotsman 1 November 1958).

Dalkeith Advertiser of 24 March 1960 reported that the damage had been caused by mineral subsidence in the area and the National Coal Board had admitted liability. They had paid for repairs from time to time to allow single line traffic. The bridge was still closed at that date.

It was still closed in 1961 and 1962. The Government agreed to make a 60% grant towards the cost of the new bridge (The Scotsman 5 September 1962). The 350 long foot bridge was to be built to the north of the old bridge, with 24 foot carriageway and two 6 foot footpaths. It was noted that the old bridge had steep approaches with sharp curves. A 6 November 1963 report stated that the contract had been awarded to A.M. Carmichael Ltd. of Edinburgh, cost £160,000. The central span, 53 foot above the river, was 170 feet with adjacent 90 foot spans for the 3 span bridge. Work was to start that month.

The 11 January 1965 paper said that work was continuing on the new bridge and completion was expected mid year. The old bridge was being demolished. From the photo there appears to be a bailey bridge section on one end of old bridge.

[Hiker]

I can remember them building the bridge here is a picture of ola bridge [img