The Dean

The Medwin Water is a tributary of the River Clyde, which is meets a short distance to the west at The Meetings. Roseburgh Bridge carries Biggar Road over the Medwin and can be seen to the left of shot. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Clyde Bridge carries Pettinain Road over the River Clyde just south of Carstairs Junction. Built in 1912, it is an example of early use of pre-cast reinforced concrete in bridge construction. In this view, flood tunnels in the southern approach embankment can also be noted. Crossing the Clyde – Clyde and other bridges from Elvanfoot to Lanark by Tam Ward 2016 (Biggar Archaeology Group) Link calls this bridge Lampits Ferry Bridge, but Clyde Bridge seems to be used more frequently, and is the name used by South Lanarkshire Council, for example. Ward notes: 'The bridge on this calm stretch of the river has nothing to commend it for appearance as it is rather unattractive, although interestingly being partially made from pre cast concrete. The very narrow bridge crosses the Clyde on three sets of double circular pillars, each pair is connected by a cross lattice also of concrete, these are set in line with the river but are askew of the road above, which crosses at an angle. Clearly the planners at this time were not preparing for future levels of traffic, perhaps taking the view that the advent of motorised vehicles was just a fad? However they did take into consideration the flooding Clyde, and like Wolf Clyde above, additional flood tunnels were built under the approach road.' The bridge was closed to traffic over 2t as far back as October 1955 Link and most recently, in August 2018, it was closed completely to traffic on safety grounds. Work on a replacement bridge, costing in the region of £3.8M, is due to begin later in 2021 and will entail a new bridge being constructed as noted in the Public Contracts Scotland tendering notice Link : 'South Lanarkshire Council are proceeding with the construction of a 90-metre single span proprietary steel bridge to replace the existing reinforced concrete bridge structure, subject to the Council acquiring the land required for the project as set out below. The proposed structure includes a 4.2m wide carriageway with an additional footway of minimum width 1.05m. The new structure will be constructed off-line of the existing bridge. The proposed carriageway on approach to the structure will follow a new alignment and will include new approach roads to the north and south which will tie into the existing C29 Pettinain Road. The proprietary bridge will be supported on reinforced concrete abutments which, in turn, will be supported by piled foundations. On the north approach the structure will also include wing walls which will not be connected to the abutment and will behave as retaining walls. On the south approach the structure will include wing walls which will not be connected to the abutment and will behave as retaining walls and a cattle creep structure. The superstructure is proposed to be launched from the south abutment and a launching area for this purpose will be built. In addition to this the design also includes for the replacement of a cattle creep structure located approximately 350m south of Clyde Bridge and the infilling of a culvert located approximately 270m south of Clyde Bridge.' This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Looking through the flood tunnels to more grazing land east of Pettinain Road. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Low summer water levels are evident at this spot on the Clyde floodplain near Carstairs Junction. And yes, that concrete pier in the foreground does appear slightly out of alignment - perhaps a good job the bridge is closed! This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

A view of Clyde Bridge from the upstream (east) side, showing the cross-bracing of the bridge piers. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

A view looking north under Clyde Bridge showing facets of the superstructure and its deterioration. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Produced by Avonguard, these products are used to measure crack movement. The manufacturer states Link : 'Avongard Tell-Tales are precision gauges that consist of two plates which overlap for a part of their length. The bottom plate is calibrated in milli-metres and the top plate is transparent and marked with a hairline cursor in the form of a cross. The Tell-Tale is fixed across the crack using screws and plugs and/or adhesive. The two pegs are removed. As the crack opens, or closes, the cursor moves relative to the calibration scale. The opening or closing of the crack is then recorded on the crack record sheet supplied.' There are at least a dozen 'Tell-Tales' in use on Clyde Bridge, some of which have been vandalised. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

A refreshing wander into the River Clyde upstream of Clyde Bridge for these cattle on a hazy summer's afternoon. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Whichever it is, it is partially-infilled and blocked off with gates. This view is from the north bank of the River Clyde at Clyde Bridge. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

A trio of flood tunnels and a cattle creep under Pettinain Road on the southern approach to Clyde Bridge. The bridge can be seen in the distance, left of shot. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

Three flood tunnels and a cattle creep, the latter in the foreground, with stagnant water therein, south of Clyde Bridge. This photograph was taken during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic of 2020/21.

A meandering section of the river near the confluence with the Medwin Water.

A meandering section of the river near the confluence with the Medwin Water.

A meandering section of the river near the confluence with the Medwin Water.

Near Carstairs

High security psychiatric hospital for Scotland and Northern Ireland, see; Link

Here also labelled as Dolphinton Junction. Looking north to Black Hill, with two wind turbines nearby, from a train approaching the junction.