Description

John F Bateman (engineer) circa 1856, with later alterations. 6-span, round-arched aqueduct bridge with long abutment wall to N and deep parapet containing conduit. Bull-faced red sandstone with ashlar dressings. String course at arch springing-points; roll-moulded string course at base of parapet; moulded cope. Standard GCWW tubular cast-iron railings to parapet cope with floral motif at head of each upright. Conduit emerges from sandstone archway at each end, flanked on each side by 6 access steps and surrounded by coped sandstone walls. Concrete cover to conduit; gauge at S end. Additional security covers added 2007.

Statement of Interest

The best surviving example of the 13 stone aqueduct bridges that were built at the lower end of the first phase of the Glasgow Corporation Water Works system (see below for significance of the scheme as a whole) from 1856 onwards. Unlike the aqueduct bridges at the top end, which were constructed from iron due to the lack of suitable stone, those at the lower end were built from the local red sandstone. In the early 20th century the stone of these bridges was found to be suffering from frost damage and the majority of the larger ones were rendered with cement. Killearn aqueduct, which is the second largest of these bridges, was not rendered and is therefore listed as the best surviving example of the group. The aqueduct at Ballewan (which is taller, but only has two arches) is listed separately as another good example of the type.

The Glasgow Corporation Water Works system, which brings water down to Glasgow from Loch Katrine, was admired internationally as an engineering marvel when it was opened in 1860. It was one of the most ambitious civil engineering schemes to have been undertaken in Europe since Antiquity, employing the most advanced surveying and construction techniques available, including the use of machine moulding and vertical casting technologies to produce the cast-iron pipes. The scheme represents the golden age of municipal activity in Scotland and not only provided Glasgow with fresh drinking water, thereby paving the way for a significant increase in hygiene and living standards, but also a source of hydraulic power that was indispensable to the growth of Glasgow's industry as a cheap and clean means of lifting and moving heavy plant in docks, shipyards and warehouses. The civic pride in this achievement is visible in every structure connected with the scheme, from the neatly-detailed gates and railings along its route, to the massive masonry structures and iron troughs that carry the conduit and, in most cases, have withstood without failure or noticeable deterioration the daily pressure of many millions of gallons of water for well over 100 years.

Glasgow's Lord Provost, Robert Stewart (1810-66) was the driving force behind the implementation of a municipally-owned water scheme to provide clean water to Glasgow's rapidly increasing population. Loch Katrine was identified as a suitable supply and after some objections from various parties, an Act of Parliament authorising the scheme was passed in 1855. The scheme was built in two main phases following this Act and another 1885. The 1855 scheme, which was opened by Queen Victoria in 1859 and was fully operational by 1860, had been designed to allow for significant expansion as demand increased, and this work was carried in the 20 years following the opening. The 1885 Act allowed a second aqueduct to be built, which followed a slightly shorter course than the earlier scheme. The capacity of the second aqueduct was also expanded during the first half of the 20th century.

John Frederick Bateman (1810-1889) was chosen as the engineer for the scheme and construction work commenced in 1856. Bateman was to become one of the world's most eminent water engineers, and worked on a number of other water supply schemes in Britain, Europe and Asia. He was assisted by James Morrison Gale (1830-1905), who on the completion of the initial scheme in 1859 was appointed Water Engineer for the City of Glasgow, a post he held till 1902. Gale was responsible for over-seeing the incremental expansion of the first scheme during the 1860s and '70s and the building of the second aqueduct from 1885 onwards.

Listed following the thematic review of Loch Katrine water supply system in 2008.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17839030

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