Bell’s Bridge

Bell’s Bridge

Bell’s Bridge is a pedestrian bridge spanning the River Clyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Constructed in 1988 to coincide with the Glasgow Garden Festival, it allowed pedestrians to cross from the main exhibition site to the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre on the other side of the river.

Bell’s Bridge, which was built for the Garden Festival and opened in 1988, links the SECC site to the south bank of the Clyde. It was originally meant as a temporary structure to take pedestrians and cyclists to and from the massive event. It now has renewed importance because of the Commonwealth Games, as it links the SECC and the new Hydro Arena with the south side of the river. Both venues will be important during the 2014 sporting spectacle as they will host boxing, netball, gymnastics, judo, wrestling and weightlifting. They will also house the international broadcasting centre and the main press centre.

The bridge, which swings open to allow ships to pass, was owned by Scottish Enterprise but was taken over by the city council on condition the organisation funded the £1.6m restoration costs. Scottish Enterprise will also provide £900,000 for its long-term maintenance. It will result in the bridge’s canopy, which was removed in 2006, being replaced. The upgrade will also see the bridge being blast cleaned and repainted, its hydraulics, electrics and mechanics being overhauled and new lighting installed

Glasgow Multi-Entry Multi-Directional Visitors Guide © Simon Newbound