Building record MAB26567 - KING GEORGE VI BRIDGE

Bridge built in 1938-41, designed by Sir Frank Mears, the foundation stone laid in September 1938.

Bridge built in 1938-41, designed by Sir Frank Mears, the foundation stone laid in September 1938. The bridge was built to link the developing area of Kincorth with the rest of the city. Built of reinforced concrete faced with bullnosed granite, it has three depressed-arches and two rounded flood arches to the east. The arch rings are rough faced, finely finished to the margins. the cutwaters rise to form refuges, each with a coat of arms on the outer side. On the upstream side these are the County of Kincardine, University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon's College, and County of Aberdeen. On the downstream side these are for Aberdeen Harbour Board of Commissioners, Aberdeen Grammar School, Incorporated Trades of Aberdeen and the City and Royal Burgh of Aberdeen. Cast-iron lamp standards bear the City Arms A plaque (NJ90SW0145) on the inside of the parapet to the south commemorates the laying of the foundation stone by the Lord Provost Edward Watt on 15th September 1938. There is a stepped down wing wall extending to the southwest with stone steps up to the bridge, the County of Aberdeen coat of arms flanking the steps to the right. It was intended to have four decorative shield bearing lions of Kemnay Granite on the parapet, but these were never completed as projects not deemed vital to the war effort had to be stopped. Three stones now stand in Hazelhead Park (NJ80NE0043) fourth stone stands in Bon Accord Square as a memorial to Archibald Simpson, unveiled in 1975.

Period Notes
Listed 12/01/1967.

ABERDEEN CITY LIBRARIES, 2005, ABERDEEN'S BRIDGES OVER THE DEE AND DON (Bibliographic reference). SAB8338.

Record last edited

Nov 4 2022 2:14PM