South Portland street Suspension bridge light

Another day out in Glasgow and walked across this beauty... History lesson:

South Portland Street Suspension Bridge - 1853

This bridge was begun in 1851 and suffered a set-back during its construction.
After the masonry towers had been completed and the main suspension chains erected, the south tower split from top to bottom. The Greek triumphal arch towers now seen in the bridge were the result of a substantial re-build.

In 1870 the bridge closed for extensive repairs. The chains and deck were completely removed, the wrought iron bars forming the chains were re-headed and additional bars provided, the timber deck was replaced by wrought iron framework and the deck profile was lowered by about 7ft.

The deck and hangers were again substantially renewed in 1926. However, the masonry towers remain as originally built in 1853, and are therefore the oldest surviving elements in Glasgow's Clyde bridges.