Erskine Bridge 50 years old: Your pictures of the famous crossing

The iconic crossing over the Clyde was opened on July 2, 1971 by HRH Princess Anne, becoming the first fixed link between Dunbartonshire and Renfrewshire.

The Glasgow Motorway Archive, in collaboration with Transport Scotland, is releasing a number of previously unseen photos of the bridge to mark its birthday.

And in honour of the occasion we've chosen some of our favourite pictures of the bridge - as sent to us by readers over the last few months and years.

By Brian Wallace

Construction on the project began in April 1967 at a cost of £10.5 million, which is the equivalent of almost £150 million today.

The bridge is 1.3km in length and 30m wide, with its tallest support measuring 50m.

By Ian Barr

Minster for Transport Graeme Dey said: “The Erskine Bridge has become an iconic landmark and was, at one point, the longest cable-stayed bridge in the world.

“The crossing helped to significantly cut journey times when it opened to traffic, particularly during the busy tourist seasons. It continues to play an important role, carrying over 35,000 vehicles every day.

By Kirsty Learmonth

“The Erskine Bridge has also been listed for unique architectural and technical features, so it’s important to recognise the impact it has made in the past 50 years.”

For the first 35 years of its life, motorists had to pay to cross the bridge, but after a campaign by residents and West Dunbartonshire politicians, the tolls were scrapped on April 1, 2006.

By Guy Clunie

Labour MSP Jackie Baillie, who was among those who campaigned for the tolls' removal, has submitted a motion to the Scottish Parliament celebrating the milestone, which other MSPs will be able to add their signatures in support.

Ms Baillie said: “I have fond memories of working alongside local people from both sides of the bridge as we successfully campaigned to remove the toll charge back in 2006.

By Steven Fraser

“It is a shame that we have not been able to celebrate this momentous anniversary the way that local people had planned because of COVID-19 restrictions but I very much look forward to doing so in the near future.”

Stuart Baird from the Glasgow Motorway Archive said: “The Erskine Bridge remains ones of the most ambitious civil engineering projects ever undertaken in Scotland and has become a much loved landmark.

By Stephen Holloway

“The Glasgow Motorway Archive is delighted to have unearthed previously unseen photos of its construction in time for its 50th anniversary and we look forward to sharing them, and a few other surprises, on our website and social media channels.”