Tolbooth Steeple needs £200K to repair cracks

james73 · Tolbooth Steeple needs £200K to repair cracks

GLASGOW'S historic Tolbooth Steeple is to undergo repair work after cracks
were discovered in the structure.

The 126ft-high steeple - which in medieval times witnessed hangings of witches,
thieves and murderers - stands in Glasgow Cross and was built in 1636.

A recent survey showed cracked lintels on the building's south face, as well
as the need for masonry, guttering and lead repairs.

It is hoped the work - estimated to cost around £200,000 - will be completed
by the end of the summer.

The steeple is one of the oldest buildings in Glasgow and towered over the
former Tolbooth which once served as a prison and town hall.

Liz Davidson, of Merchant City Townscape Heritage Initiative, described it
as "one of the most iconic buildings in the area".

She said every building in the Merchant City was surveyed a few years ago.

She added: "Through time and because of where it stands, it has suffered
a bit of wear and tear.

"It was attached to another building, the Tontine, and there is a lot of traffic
going past it on a daily basis.

"We have a railway underground at the base of the steeple and heavy
traffic thundering past every day.

"The survey revealed cracks at the steeple base which we would rather
deal with now.

"The work is not urgent but the damage will only get worse.

"We are putting together a programme for the repairs. It may be that,
rather than having scaffolding, it can be done by someone abseiling down
the side."

She said the work was not complicated but was difficult because the
steeple stands in the middle of a busy road.

James H

scallopboy

I wish they'd pay extra and move it to somewhere other than the middle of the road.

cybers

I agree ... Brick By Brick move to the Green let the old lady live in peace. Could be the focal point inside Jocelyn Square...

Stuball

Or simply shift it a bit towards the bank enough to let the road run straight

falseface

monument broke it last year btw

glasgowken

Or pull down that monstrosity to the east and run the road along there

Which is what should have happened.

Two birds with one stone, save the tower and get rid of that fugly building

falseface

It’s amazing no one has ever crashed into the Tollbooth.
That new building blends in with the crescent shape of the other side. I quite like it.
Anyhow the top dancer has a very big garden on top and I wouldn’t mind staying their

FF

cybers

Tolbooth Tower got smacked on a Friday night bout 3 years ago.
I was making a wee delivery to a lawyers when a drunk ploughed straight in with Strathclydes finest hot on his tail.
They actually waited on him reversing out again before chasing him on his merry way into the saltmarket.
Where it was brought to an abrupt end by an unsuspecting member of the motoring public.

It's probably been skelped with a few buses too as some of them struggle to get round there and stay in bloody lane.

poodiecat