Tour Scotland early Autumn travel video, with Scottish music, of a rainy and cloudy road trip drive on ancestry, genealogy, history visit to cross Connel Bridge in Argyll And Bute. Connel Bridge is a cantilever bridge that spans Loch Etive and takes the road across the narrowest part of the loch, at the Falls of Lora. The bridge was built by Arrol's Bridge and Roof Company to carry the Ballachulish branch line of the Callander and Oban Railway, which opened on 20 August 1903. When complete it had a longer span than any other railway bridge in Britain except the Forth Bridge, also built by Arrol. It was engineered by John Wolfe Barry and others. In 1914, a roadway was added to the bridge, alongside the railway line. The road occupied the western side of the bridge, with the railway running parallel immediately to the east. Due to the close proximity of road and railway, road traffic and trains were not permitted on the bridge at the same time and the bridge was effectively operated as an extended level crossing with gates. The road crossed to the opposite side of the railway at the north end of the bridge. A toll was payable by road users. After the branch railway line closed in 1966, the bridge was converted for the exclusive use of road vehicles and pedestrians, and the toll was removed. Despite the railway track having been removed, the roadway is not wide enough for two vehicles to cross each other. Traffic lights are installed at each end of the bridge to enforce one way traffic. When driving in Scotland, slow down and enjoy the trip.
All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.
View the most recent Tour Scotland photographs.
No comments:
Post a Comment