Historic Wellington Suspension Bridge to be re-opened
01/09/08
An ancient monument linking two communities of Aberdeen is to be re-opened on Wednesday [3 September] after being closed for seven years.
The Wellington Suspension Bridge, which links Ferryhill with Torry, was closed to pedestrians amid health and safety concerns in 2001. Prior to that, it had been closed to vehicular traffic in 1983.
For the past seven years, work has been carried out to have the bridge, which unusually features largely original wrought iron chains and masonry pylons, re-opened.
It has involved the replacement of seriously corroded sections of the main chains, the replacement of the timber deck, the complete repainting of all metalwork, and the re-pointing of the masonry. Protective hoods and grills have been added to the chains at the pylons.
The final phase of the project will involve the installation of architectural lighting on the bridge, which was scheduled as an ancient monument in 1979, and it is hoped this can be completed by the end of the year.
Lord Provost Peter Stephen will officially re-open the bridge and unveil a plaque at the north end to mark the occasion.
He said: “I am delighted to be re-opening this historic bridge, which is a vital link across the Dee for walkers and cyclists.
“Wellington Suspension Bridge was closed to pedestrians in 2001. The re-opening of the bridge today is the result of seven years of very worthwhile work."
The project, which has cost around £1.2milion to date, has been funded by the City Growth Fund and the non-housing capital budget, as well as by Historic Scotland.
Wellington Suspension Bridge, named after the then Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, was built in 1830 to a design by Captain Sir Samuel Browne R.N. Local architect John 'Tudor' Smith was employed to design the masonry pylons.
The bridge and turnpike road south to Cairn Robin were funded by the heritors of Nigg. At the time there was only one other crossing of the Dee - the Old Bridge of Dee.
The ownership of the bridge passed from a private trust to the Aberdeen Town Council in 1883, when tolls were abolished by act of Parliament.
Major maintenance works were carried out in 1930, when the cast iron deck beams were replaced with steel in the 1930s.
The project team has been led by Aberdeen City Council and has included Halcow Group Ltd, Isleburn Mackay and Macleod Ltd, and MacKenzie Construction Ltd.
If you have any queries regarding this, or any other news story, please contact Aberdeen City Council on: 01224 522000.
