2014 Craighead Viaduct
Did you know that the foot-passage below the former railway viaduct at Craighead had to be shut for 1 full day every year as the terms and conditions of legal obligations of the railway?
This certainly caused problems from time to time, and none more so than in November 1921 when Uddingston miner Richard Bellingham tried to cross on the very day it was closed. The railway had closed their viaduct for 24 hours in order to retain the contract for right of passage each year and Richard did not understand.
Upon being refused entry on to the crossing, in frustration and anger, he picked up a stone and struck the aged Blantyre watchman on the right temple. So serious was the injury that the watchman’s life was in danger, although he pulled through and contacted police.
In court, the Sheriff took into consideration Richard’s good war record and sentenced him to £5 fine or 20 days imprisonment.
From the book, “Blantyre Explained” by Paul Veverka (c) 2019
Pictured in 2014 is the blocked up pedestrian entrance to the former crossing. The railway ran on top of this.
Featuring Blantyre Project Social Media with permission. Strictly not for use by others on or offline, our visitors said:
Gord Fotheringham Ahhhh how well i remember going along the footpath along the Clyde from village ….was a favourite spot for us kids….danger was never on our minds….until someone stole some of the foot boards…
Alan Baird what i want to know is how did you enter the through the archways ? was the ground built up or was it via a ladder or some other kind of walkway ? iv been down and looked at the buttresses on both sides and iv always been wanting to know
Anthony Smith Walkway along the side of the buttress
Alan Baird Anthony Smith thankyou id love to see some pics of these if anybody has them
Anthony Smith Alan Baird Sorry,I don’t have any
Manny Devlin Used tae drink our cargos dun there back in the 80’s
John Dunsmore Mind of the foot boards being missing think boards ended up in the Clyde. Colin, pal.
Paul Gibson William Gibson Lee Gibson Stephen Corrigan John Gibson that’s what it was
Anthony Smith This is the Bothwell side