Historic Auld Brig lanterns set to get much needed makeover

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The period-style lanterns on Ayr’s historic Auld Brig, some of which have had to be removed for public safety, are to be given a makeover.The Auld Brig was built around 1470, to replace a wooden bridge that had been in place since the 1200s.It has since been rebuilt and repaired over the course of the last seven centuries.The most significant works took place in 1588 and, more recently, in 1907-10.The Auld Brig is an iconic part of Ayr, transporting people back to the town’s historic heights, with its uneven cobbled walkway and views of the river and town centre.

It is closed to vehicles, taking pedestrians from the High Street over to River Street on the north side of the River Ayr.The application for the lighting on the A-listed bridge states: “Mounted upon the parapets are seven wrought iron frames which have been adapted by means of steel spigots to support period-style lanterns which provide lighting for pedestrians.“The frames are heavily corroded in places, but remain structurally sound.“Some of the frames have had further repairs carried out over the years.“The lanterns have an electrical supply provided by means of electrical cables running under the cobbled surface of the bridge, through the parapets, up the outer sides of the parapet and attached to the frames.“Two of the wrought iron frames on the west parapet of the bridge have sustained damage.“The spigot adapters at the top of the frames have corroded, resulting in the lanterns and spigots being removed for safety reasons.“Due to previous repairs, the two damaged frames have different designs where the various side-stays and back-stays meet the main vertical element and ladder-bar.“We are now seeking quotations for the repair of the two damaged frames and