Ponfeigh Bridge

The new bridge from the north

Ponfeigh Bridge carries an unclassified road over the Douglas Water immediately to the west of the former village of the same name, near Rigside. It was built in 2021 and is a very utilitarian steel truss bridge, which includes a separate footway within the trusses. The roadway is wide, but not really wide enough for two cars to pass, with a deck made of metal plates overlaid with surface dressing. The bridge is very similar to the nearby Clyde Bridge across the River Clyde near Carstairs Junction which was built in 2023. Both bridges were replacement for structures damaged or washed out by storms.

Old Bridge

The old and collapsing bridge

The old bridge was an unusual structure which had a metal truss structure placed across a twin arch stone bridge. The truss had been installed to try and strengthen the bridge, but photos taken shortly before demolition show that the truss was distorted, and the stonework below appears to have subsided into the river bed. In order to install the trusses, the bridges original stone parapets had been removed, although the wing walls survived. The only decoration in evidence on the old bridge was detailed arch rings, the remainder of the structure being coursed rubble. The bridge was completely closed in 2016, due to serious concerns about is structural integrity, and demolished in 2019 in preparation for the construction of the new bridge which took place during 2021.