Pupils asked to name new pedestrian bridge over motorway

Pupils and residents in Sighthill are being asked to help name a new bridge being created over the M8.

The main span of the new Sighthill bridge was installed over the weekend, with the bridge expected to open in the early months of 2022.

Pupils already using the new school in the area will also be asked for their suggestions to create a sense of local ownership of a new Glasgow landmark.

Both the bridge and the school are part of the £250m City region city deal agreed by the council.

Deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, David McDonald, announced via social media on Monday that the search for a suitable name is now on.

Councillor McDonald visited the overpass before telling the public they could decide on its new name.

And after posting a request on Twitter for suggestions, along with a picture of the distinctive structure, followers were quick to provide a few early ideas, including The Rusty Bridge, the Irn Bruidge and the Shoehorn – as well as the obligatory Bridgey McBridgeface suggestion.

He said: “It was great to visit the site of the bridge today following its installation over the weekend.

“The new bridge will deliver new connections and new opportunities for the north of Glasgow but it will also deliver a plethora of new nicknames.

“The Clyde Arc and Tradeston Bridges got nicknames that have stuck and I’m sure this new bridge will be the same.”

The main span of the new cyclist, pedestrian and wheeler bridge was installed over the weekend, with a section of the M8 closed while construction took place.

It is the biggest project of its kind in the UK outside of London and will form an active travel route between Sighthill and the city centre.

Story by local democracy reporter Catherine Hunter