Across the River Glass stands Quarterbridge a vital artery of the Isle of Man. This isn’t just any bridge. Quarterbridge is a silent witness to centuries of history. It’s a landmark woven into the very fabric of Manx life.
From its humble beginnings as a simple structure a bridge at this location was swept away in a storm of 1727. A two-arched replacement was soon built further downstream. However the current single-arched bridge we see today was the work of local mason Charles Scott in 1809. He built it for a princely sum of £280. It has since been extended multiple times widening to accommodate the growing traffic.
Quarterbridge is more than just a crossing. It’s been the starting point for legendary races. The Gordon Bennett Trial and Tourist Trophy car races used Quarterbridge between 1904 and 1922. The start line shifted over the years sometimes located near Woodlands. The 1908 race even moved the start further to Hillberry Corner. Quarterbridge became integral to the Snaefell Mountain Course. This course is used for the famous Isle of Man TT motorcycle races.
Tragedy also touched Quarterbridge. In the 1953 Senior TT race champion Les Graham lost his life there. This accident along with another at Kerrowmoar prompted significant safety upgrades to the course. Road widening around the Quarterbridge junction was one of the improvements following these fatalities. More improvements followed in the decades after. Major road repairs and re-profiling occurred in 1978/79 after further accidents. This was followed by a roundabout addition in 1963. Yet more improvements in 1986/87 led to the removal of a traffic island and some beloved cherry trees. In 2008 there were further plans for the site. The Department of Transport announced a £4 million road safety scheme which included a new roundabout and the demolition of the Quarterbridge Hotel. However the Hotel remains standing to this day.
Today Quarterbridge stands as a symbol of endurance. It bridges not only the River Glass but also the past and the present. It whispers tales of daring races near misses and the enduring spirit of the Isle of Man. So next time you cross this bridge remember its rich history. Remember the stories it silently holds. Remember Quarterbridge.