{"id":3317,"date":"2023-09-25T13:01:31","date_gmt":"2023-09-25T12:01:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/?p=3317"},"modified":"2025-06-11T11:47:11","modified_gmt":"2025-06-11T10:47:11","slug":"the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides","title":{"rendered":"The history of Edinburgh\u2019s bridge, once a frequent site of suicides"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Dean Bridge<\/strong> spans the <strong>Water of Leith<\/strong> in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Future reveals more. Learn more at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\">edinburgh-future<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The carriageway measures <strong>447 feet long<\/strong> and <strong>39 feet wide<\/strong>. It is one of the major structures designed by engineer <strong>Thomas Telford<\/strong> before his retirement. Construction was completed in <strong>1831<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_68_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a139d85b9c74\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a139d85b9c74\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Background\" title=\"Background\">Background<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#The_idea_for_a_bridge\" title=\"The idea for a bridge\">The idea for a bridge<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#A_new_plan\" title=\"A new plan\">A new plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Materials\" title=\"Materials\">Materials<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Craftsmanship\" title=\"Craftsmanship\">Craftsmanship<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Completion\" title=\"Completion\">Completion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Ceremonial_opening\" title=\"Ceremonial opening\">Ceremonial opening<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Sudden_death\" title=\"Sudden death\">Sudden death<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Preventive_measures\" title=\"Preventive measures\">Preventive measures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/eternal-3317-the-history-of-edinburghs-bridge-once-a-frequent-site-of-suicides\/#Stolen_plaque\" title=\"Stolen plaque\">Stolen plaque<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Background\"><\/span>Background<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>From the medieval period onwards, the river was mainly forded. A single-arch stone crossing appeared later, but it could hardly be called a properly paved roadway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_idea_for_a_bridge\"><\/span>The idea for a bridge<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The proposal to build a proper, sturdy new bridge came from <strong>John Lermont<\/strong>, owner of the Dean estate on the north bank of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_new_plan\"><\/span>A new plan<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>After the successful expansion of the New Town, Lermont saw an opportunity to sell his land and drive further growth. He wanted his estate to sit adjacent to a convenient route into the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>John even offered to finance the project himself, pledging <strong>\u00a318,556<\/strong> towards construction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, in <strong>1828<\/strong>, officials responsible for the county\u2019s public roads proposed to share the cost of a new bridge. They insisted that <strong>John Gibb<\/strong>, Britain\u2019s leading bridge engineer at the time, should handle the design.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Materials\"><\/span>Materials<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Work began in <strong>1829<\/strong> and wrapped up at the end of <strong>1831<\/strong>. Costs were cut significantly by hollowing out the bridge\u2019s piers. This approach later made routine inspections and investigations much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Craftsmanship\"><\/span>Craftsmanship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A pedestrian walkway was installed alongside the outer segmental arches. Wooden supports had to be removed with extreme caution. The process demanded <strong>meticulous attention to detail<\/strong> and <strong>high professional skill<\/strong> to ensure the bridge emerged perfectly level and stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Completion\"><\/span>Completion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Construction finished in <strong>1831<\/strong>. Between the end of the build and the formal handover, Gibb succeeded in installing toll gates at each end of the bridge. <strong>Pedestrians had to pay<\/strong> for the privilege of enjoying the scenic views from atop the bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ceremonial_opening\"><\/span>Ceremonial opening<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although horses and carriages could only cross from <strong>May 1834<\/strong>, the <strong>official opening ceremony<\/strong> was held in early <strong>1832<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sudden_death\"><\/span>Sudden death<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Sadly, Lermont died in <strong>1858<\/strong> before he could witness the completion of all the works or see his grand vision realised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Preventive_measures\"><\/span>Preventive measures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.edinburgh-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/image-1.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-3318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.edinburgh-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/image-1.png 640w, https:\/\/cdn.edinburgh-future.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/62\/2025\/06\/image-1-300x225.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1888<\/strong>, the Edinburgh Corporation approached engineer <strong>John Cooper<\/strong> for recommendations to prevent suicides from the bridge. By that time, the structure had sadly become a frequent site for such tragedies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cooper recommended raising the height of the parapet. This solution was successfully implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Stolen_plaque\"><\/span>Stolen plaque<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In <strong>1957<\/strong>, the Institution of Civil Engineers affixed a <strong>bicentenary plaque<\/strong> to the bridge. The memorial was later stolen, but in <strong>1982<\/strong> it was successfully replaced.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dean Bridge spans the Water of Leith in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Future reveals more. Learn more at\u00a0edinburgh-future. The carriageway measures 447 feet long and 39 feet wide. It is one of the major structures designed by engineer Thomas Telford before his retirement. Construction was completed in 1831. Background From the medieval period onwards, the river was [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":499,"featured_media":2055,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1113],"tags":[2022,2030,2024,2023,2025,2017,2029,2016,2020,2021,2019,2018,2028,2026,2027],"motype":[1121],"moformat":[18],"moimportance":[30,33],"class_list":{"0":"post-3317","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-innovations","8":"tag-19th-century-scottish-bridges","9":"tag-dean-bridge-bicentenary-plaque","10":"tag-dean-bridge-edinburgh","11":"tag-dean-estate-history","12":"tag-edinburgh-suicide-prevention","13":"tag-edinburgh-toll-gates","14":"tag-heritage-bridge-restoration","15":"tag-john-gibb-bridge-design","16":"tag-john-lermont-estate-sale","17":"tag-parapet-height-increase","18":"tag-stone-arch-construction","19":"tag-thomas-telford-engineering","20":"tag-victorian-civil-engineering","21":"tag-water-of-leith-crossing","22":"tag-water-of-leith-landmarks","23":"motype-eternal","24":"moformat-vlasna","25":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","26":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/499"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3317"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3321,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3317\/revisions\/3321"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3317"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=3317"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=3317"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/edinburgh-future.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=3317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}