Hyndford Bridge is the first road bridge across the River Clyde above Lanark and the famous Falls of Clyde which have carved a deep gorge near New Lanark. It is therefore an important crossing point, which carries no less than three First 99 routes across the river. Although numbered as part of the A73, the A72 is also in a lengthy multiplex with the A73 between Symington and Lanark, while the multiplex with the A70 is much shorter, at less than half a mile. When originally classified in 1922, only the A70 and A72 crossed the bridge, the extension, and supremacy of the A73 came in the mid 1930s. This concentration of traffic over what is a narrow bridge means that it is controlled by traffic lights, which also incorporate the junction between the A70 and A73 on the river's south east bank.
The bridge itself is a five span stone arch structure with the central arch considerably larger than those flanking it. This produces a humped profile with the road peaking over the central arch. Only the central three arches span the main river channel, the other two crossing the banks and acting as flood arches for when the river is in spate. The piers are protected by semi-circular cutwaters, which rise up to parapet level where they provide a series of small refuges for pedestrians. The bridge is built of cut, coursed stonework with a pronounced curved drip mould over each of the arches, and a cornice at road level. The structure bulges out over the abutments to provide a much wider roadway on the approaches. The wing walls continue for some distance before terminating at small piers with obelisk cap stones. The road over the bridge itself is probably just about wide enough for two cars to pass, and certainly would be if the wide pavements were reduced. However, the hump and overall narrow width of the bridge means it has been signalised with three way control.
Junction
On the south east bank of the river, the A70 and A73 split at a T junction as they come off the bridge. As noted above, this junction is controlled as part of the same signals that control flow over the bridge itself, leading to a lengthy three-way system. The road along the river bank continues almost dead straight, kinking slightly to pass the ruinous cottage that faces onto the bridge. Due to the constrictions of the location, there are only single lanes on the approaches, although these are set well back to allow large vehicles to turn on or off the bridge.
