Edinburgh Council has received an application to redevelop an A-listed bridge in Leith to bring it back into use for the local community.
The planning application was launched by Forth Ports for the refurbishment of the Category A-Listed Rennie’s Isle Swing Bridge located at the Water of Leith to conserve the landmark.
Forth Ports, are working in conjunction with Teuchters Landing, on the old bridge.
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Work on the project to repair the bridge is already underway, with phase one having started in January.
The proposed programme of repair and refurbishment for the well-known bridge in Leith will ensure its structural integrity for the future, preserve its appearance and make it accessible for the community as a walkway.
The works will also create the opportunity for part of the bridge area to be utilised as an outdoor seating space as part of the Teuchter’s Landing public house located in Dock Place. An Application for Change of Use has been submitted to CEC for this purpose.
The swing bridge, named after the prominent Scottish engineer John Rennie, was constructed around 1800 as part of the design of Leith docks.
John Rennie was a prominent Scottish civil engineer and he was also involved in the design of Leith docks, the Royal Ireland Canal, the Crinan Canal, Waterloo Bridge, London Bridge and the breakwater at Plymouth Sound amongst other notable structures.
The bridge remains the largest counterweighted swing bridge in Scotland.
Along with the nearby Victoria Swing Bridge – whose full refurbishment is already under way – these bridges were a key part of Rennie’s design of the docks in the 1800s.
The proposed refurbishment works for Rennie’s Isle Bridge includes: replacement of the timber structure, redecoration, installation of bollards, removal of trolley rails and installation of metal detail, installation of protective mesh and new timber blocks below existing railing uprights.
Commenting on the project, Charles Hammond, Group Chief Executive at Forth Ports, said: “The swing bridges in Leith are historical landmarks in the area and we are pleased to be able to submit plans to preserve Rennie’s Isle Bridge for the future. There is a great opportunity to create not only a usable walkway but also to create an attractive outdoor space at Teuchter’s Landing.”
John Tindal, Director of Teuchters (Edinburgh) LTD said: “We are very excited to bring the bridge back to its former glory, working closely with Forth Ports, allowing 24-hour access to the bridge which will be of huge relief to the local community and allowing us to utilise the bridge with very attractive and unique additional seating to our outdoor area with table service.”
Edinburgh Council are expected to make a decision on the planning application in the coming weeks and months.
