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Bridge closed after cable snapped Bridge closed after cable snapped
(about 2 hours later)
Engineers are trying to establish what caused a support cable to snap and crash down on the newest bridge over the River Clyde in Glasgow. Glasgow's Clyde Arc bridge is likely to be closed to traffic for several weeks while engineers work to repair or replace a snapped support cable.
The Clyde Arc bridge - better known as the "Squinty Bridge" - has been closed since a loud snapping noise was heard at about 2330 GMT on Monday night. The cable, one of 14 which supports the newest bridge over the River Clyde, came crashing down on Monday night.
The bridge between Finnieston and Pacific Quay opened in 2006. A Glasgow Council spokesman said public safety was the "number one priority".
Its designers and builders have now carried out an initial inspection into what went wrong. An initial inspection of the Arc - better known as the "Squinty Bridge" - has been carried out to establish what caused the support cable to fail.
We don't believe the bridge's integrity is at risk, but it has been closed for public safety reasons Glasgow City Council
A further inspection by designers Halcrow and civil engineering contractor Edmund Nuttall Ltd, who built the bridge, is due to be carried out later on Tuesday afternoon.A further inspection by designers Halcrow and civil engineering contractor Edmund Nuttall Ltd, who built the bridge, is due to be carried out later on Tuesday afternoon.
It is hoped engineers will then have a better idea of the full extent of the damage, and how long the bridge will need to remain closed. It is hoped engineers will then have a better idea of the full extent of the damage.
A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council said the damaged cable, which fell onto the carriageway, would be sent back to the manufacturers for testing. Until we are completely satisfied the bridge is safe to use, it will remain closed Glasgow City Council
In the meantime efforts were being made to organise traffic management systems, she said. A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said temporary traffic diversions were in place to minimise disruption to the travelling public.
The spokeswoman added: "The bridge is designed to allow for struts to be removed one at a time to be repaired. He added: "We don't believe the integrity of the bridge is affected. The Clyde Arc is designed to allow for the removal of one of the bridge supports at a time for repair and maintenance without affecting its operation.
"We don't believe the bridge's integrity is at risk, but it has been closed for public safety reasons." "However, our number one priority is public safety and until we are completely satisfied the bridge is safe to use, it will remain closed.
The cables are an integral part of the bridge structure "The bridge is still under guarantee by the main contractor, who will report back to the council once they have established the cause following their investigations and independent testing of the broken part.
John Colvin, the night manager at the nearby City Inn hotel, said the noise had been very worrying. "We would like to apologise for any inconvenience to the travelling public but I think people will understand why we have taken this course of action."
The new bridge across the Clyde cost more than £20m to build
John Colvin, the night manager at the nearby City Inn hotel, said he heard a loud snapping noise when the cable came down.
He said: "To be honest it was a scary sound, it sounded like a bomb going off.He said: "To be honest it was a scary sound, it sounded like a bomb going off.
"We felt the vibrations of it right here. We looked out and someone said one of the supports had gone on the bridge and the whole thing was shaking.""We felt the vibrations of it right here. We looked out and someone said one of the supports had gone on the bridge and the whole thing was shaking."
The bridge between Finnieston and Pacific Quay opened in 2006.
Mr Colvin added that the cable snapped at about 2330 GMT, when there were no cars on the bridge.Mr Colvin added that the cable snapped at about 2330 GMT, when there were no cars on the bridge.
The structure, which spans 140m, is a tied arch design, carrying four traffic lanes. One lane in each direction is reserved for public transport and there are pedestrian and cycle paths.The structure, which spans 140m, is a tied arch design, carrying four traffic lanes. One lane in each direction is reserved for public transport and there are pedestrian and cycle paths.
Running at an angle across the water, it was the first new road bridge over the river to be built since 1969 when it was built at a cost of £20.3m.Running at an angle across the water, it was the first new road bridge over the river to be built since 1969 when it was built at a cost of £20.3m.
The Saltire Society gave the bridge a civil engineering award last year.The Saltire Society gave the bridge a civil engineering award last year.