Carried the train

I have heard from reader Janice Rennie who says: “Regarding the recent photograph showing the ‘linking up’ of the two sides of the Tay Road Bridge and the various VIPs standing on an extremely temporary platform held in place by the chains no doubt suspended from an out of sight crane, brings to mind a visit made by members of Dundee Institute of Architects to that very location.

“The difference was that we did not have the added comfort of the platform afforded to the Provost and company. The only method offered for us to cross the gap was the large steel beam with its flimsy looking handrail.

“Those of us who accepted the invitation to cross did so by walking on the top flange of the beam and gripping very tightly the handrail pausing only briefly to look down at the swirling waters of the Tay below. Where were Health and Safety when we needed them?”

On the same subject, James Colville writes: “It is indeed the Lord Provost, but he is standing on the ‘temporary’ bridge that was constructed across the river, which was under the line of the main bridge.

“This carried the train which ran on rail tracks to assist in the movement of men and materials for the main construction. The photograph either shows the last section of the temporary bridge being installed or a section being removed as the bridge was dismantled after the main structure was at a stage when the temporary one was no longer required.

“I think at the time Duncan Logan, the successful contractor, was the only one who came up with the method of using a temporary bridge to assist in the main bridge construction.”

“A Dundee reader was wondering about their favourite sculpture,” says Angus Lockhart. “The sculpture is actually a cello bridge, which is now sited at Dundee Botanic Gardens with a plaque naming it as The Bridge.”