Smeaton's Bridge

Perth Bridge (also known as Smeaton's Bridge, locally, the Old Bridge, and in the local dialect of Scots, the Auld Brig) is a toll-free bridge in the city of Perth, Scotland. A Category A listed structure, it spans the River Tay, connecting Perth, on the western side of the river, to Bridgend, on its eastern side, carrying both automotive and pedestrian traffic of West Bridge Street (the A85). An earlier bridge was demolished at the same location in 1621 (its location marked by a stone tablet at the bottom of the High Street),Civic History of Perth from Medieval Times
– Perth Civic Trust and many unsuccessful attempts were made to replace it. A subscription was started by James VI and several noblemen to help with the construction cost, but the king's death in 1625 suspended the scheme and a series of ferryboats were instead used.''The Tourist's Hand-book to Perth and Neighbourhood'' (1849), p. 43

The replacement bridge was completed in October 1771, which places it in the Georgian era (George Street, which leads up to the bridge from the city, was built at the same time);''Official Guide to Perth and Its Neighbourhood by the Tramway Car Routes'' – Perth Town Council (1907), p. 6 however, its plaque states the year in which construction began, 1766, as its "built" date. The engineer of its construction was John Smeaton, after whom the bridge is colloquially named.

Funded by Thomas Hay, 9th Earl of Kinnoull, the government, and public subscription, the bridge was put to the test three years after its completion. In February 1774, during a quick thaw, broken ice became wedged under the arches and created a natural dam. Large sections of Perth, including both of its Inches, were flooded. The bridge, however, stood firm."Bridges of Perth" at PerthCity.co.uk
It has survived many subsequent floods, and marks documenting these levels are visible on one of its piers.HistoryCooperative.org - Neil MacDonald

An increase in traffic resulted in the bridge being widened in 1869 by A.D. Stewart. Its stone parapets were removed, and footpaths projected over iron brackets.

Gallery

File:The imperial gazetteer of Scotland; or, Dictionary of Scottish topography, compiled from the most recent authorities, and forming a complete body of Scottish geography, physical, statistical, and (14595861428).jpg, The bridge as it was before being widened in 1869
File:Plaque on Smeatons bridge.jpg, A plaque on the bridge
File:St. Matthew's Church and Smeaton's Bridge.jpg, Smeaton's Bridge, with St Matthew's Church, on Tay Street, on the left, looking north from Queen's Bridge
File:Perth Bridge from Bridgend.jpg, A view from Bridgend's East Bridge Street to West Bridge Street, which traverses the bridge
File:Flood water levels - geograph.org.uk - 1969143.jpg, Flood water levels of the Tay etched into the bridge's brickwork

See also

* List of Category A listed buildings in Perth and Kinross
* List of listed buildings in Perth, Scotland
* 1814 Perth flood
* 1993 Perth flood

References

External links

*
Bridges of Perth at PerthCity.co.uk

{{River Tay

Bridges in Perth, Scotland
Category A listed buildings in Perth and Kinross
Bridges across the River Tay
Listed buildings in Perth, Scotland
Listed bridges in Scotland
Stone bridges in Scotland
Bridges completed in 1771
1771 establishments in Scotland