ERSKINE BRIDGE.

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The Erskine Bridge is the furthest down river of all the bridges that span the River Clyde.
Opened in 1971 by Princess Anne, it crosses the river near to Erskine Hospital for Ex-Servicemen and Women, on the southern bank to Old Kilpatrick on the north.
The toll bridge has proved a popular route for those wishing to avoid traffic congestion nearer Glasgow.
By the 1980's approximately 7000 vehicles crossed daily and this number has been maintained ever since.
Work on the 11,000 ton bridge was started in 1967.
It is of a box girder construction with cable stays supporting its 1720ft central span and two approach spans of 224ft.
The masts that carry the cables are 125ft high.
However, on August 4, 1996, the clearance under the bridge proved to be insufficient for an oil platform passing underneath on its way to the North Sea.
As the platform was being towed downstream it struck the underside of the bridge, forcing it to be closed to allow repair work to be carried out.
When it reopened it could only be used by cars, motorbikes and pedestrians.
Heavy goods vehicles were prohibited from using the bridge until further repairs were completed by the end of December.
The estimated losses and damages amounted to a total of £4.25million.

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