A plaque could be installed on Glasgow's Kingston Bridge at Newton Street if city planners approve. 

The Institution of Civil Engineers has asked Glasgow City Council for permission to install the commemorative bronze plaque on the south face of the north pier of the bridge which is riverside at the Broomielaw side. It would sit next to a plaque commemorating the opening of the bridge. 

The planning application was submitted to mark 50 years since the bridge opened on June 26, 1970. 

Forming part of the M8, Scotland’s first motorway, its construction reflected the social and economic changes taking place in Scotland’s cities in the mid-20th century as private car ownership rapidly rose.

The bridge also has special architectural interest, as an early example of a cantilevered concrete box girder bridge by one of the leading civil engineering firms of its period.

Today, the Kingston Bridge is the most used road bridge in Scotland and amongst the busiest in Europe. It is used daily by between 150,000 and 160,000 vehicles.


READ MORE: Glasgow's Kingston Bridge awarded historic status

READ MORE: Celebrating Glasgow's great bridges across the Clyde

READ MORE: In pictures: The Kingston Bridge turns 50

(Image: Kingston Bridge plaque)

(Image: Kingston Bridge being built)

The plaque, which is 370mm wide by 265mm high, reads, "Early example of a balanced cantilever segmented prestressed concrete box girder road bridge. 

"The bridge links the parishes of Glasgow to the North and Govan to the South over the River Clyde.

"Engineer: W.A. Fairhurst & Partners.

"Contractor: Logan, Marples Ridgeway joint venture.

"Plaque erected by the Institution of Civil Engineers to commemorate 50 years since the bridge opened."

(Image: Kingston Bridge)

(Image: Kingston Bridge being built)

(Image: Kingston Bridge when it was being built.)

(Image: Kingston Bridge)

The Kingston Bridge was previously given category C status by Historic Environment Scotland to mark its 50th year spanning the River Clyde. 

The bridge cost £11m to build - in today’s money that amount could be as much as £180m - before it was officially opened by the Queen Mother following three years of construction.

It is 270m long, over 40m wide, and crosses the River Clyde at a maximum height of almost 20m.

The bridge connects Anderston and the city centre at Junction 18/19 with Tradeston and the Gorbals at Junction 20.

It also allows traffic to continue on the M8 and M77.

City planners will decide on the plaque by Friday, September 20. The last date for comments on the planning application is Thursday, August 22.