#infrastructure — Modernist Delights

Clydeside Expressway overpass & Stobcross Street Tunnel, Glasgow, 2025

A railway tunnel entrance under a concrete bridge is covered in graffiti, including large white and silver text reading KINK SPAR. Railway tracks disappear into the dark tunnel, while a paved pedestrian path curves alongside fenced railings. Urban buildings are visible in the background.

Wow, it looks like the Scottish Spar sells very different range of items to my local one.

Anderston Footbridge, Glasgow, 2025

A pedestrian footbridge with metal railings curves gently through an urban area lined with modern glass buildings and older brick structures under a cloudy, overcast sky. Tall office blocks dominate the background.

A busy multi-lane dual carriageway in a city with cars and vans travelling in both directions. A flyover crosses above, and a modern glass office block stands to the right. To the left is an old brick church. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are some cranes in the background.

Sarah Allen, the head of architecture at the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, shared some far more poetic words than I’m capable of, alongside historical pictures of this “bridge to nowhere” from before it was completed, in the RIBA Journal.

Greyhound Bridge, Lancaster, 2026

A modern bridge with vertical supports spans a calm river, reflecting in the water. Sparse trees and urban buildings are visible in the background under a clear blue sky. The scene is tranquil, with even lighting and green foliage on the left.

Originally built for train traffic in 1911, it was then converted to a road bridge in 1972, following the closure of the railway. Until I checked Wikipedia, I was convinced it was built in the 1960’s, not least due to its’ modern appearance.

Wikipedia also gives me flashbacks to the 2018 closure of the bridge, and altering of the one-way system, which until now I had successfully excised from memory.

Underground car park entrance, Manchester, 2025

A concrete car park entrance with overhead “Maximum Height 4.5m” sign, SLOW painted on the ramp, red and white bollards, stop signs, and arrows directing cars. Yellow safety railings and various signs are visible along the grey walls.

Regent House, Stockport, 2026

A large red-brick railway viaduct spans a city street. In the background, a tall white building labelled Regent House is visible. Cars are parked along the road, and blue sky with scattered clouds is overhead.

In honour of springtime, and the first photography trip of the year last weekend 🙌🏼

Tenterfield Street, Preston, 2025

A curved urban road leads downhill into a tunnel beneath concrete and brick buildings. Tall offices and flats rise above, with greenery on the right embankment. Yellow road markings and black bollards guide traffic under a cloudy sky.

Carr House Lane bridge, Lancaster, 2025

A narrow tarmac path curves under a stone railway bridge with overhead electric wires. Trees with autumn leaves and green bushes line the sides. A cloudy sky looms above. Metal railings and a blue sign are visible near the tunnel entrance.

New and old on Regent’s Canal, Islington, London, 2025

Sunny day on the Regent's Canal, taken from on the water. The foreground features a large, lush green tree. In the middle, there are some 19th century buildings, including a mill and cottage. In the background there is a 1960's mid-rise housing block, all set against a clear blue sky.

I’m not turning this blog into Riparian Delights, I promise. This counts as a Modernist Delight because the housing block in the back is Jessop Court, built 1969. Diespeker Wharf, a Victorian former timber mill & terrazzo and marble manufacturer, and an early 19th century wharf-keeper’s cottage.

Tiling detail at Moorgate station, London, 2025

A close up shot of small square tiles. They are primarily amber, and as they reflect in the light you can see the pattern embedded within them goes in different directions. There are also two bands of black tiles, one towards the top, and one at the very bottom.

On the New Jersey Turnpike

A love letter to a motorway (sorry, turnpike) in the New York Times (gift link) feels as if it was written specifically for me.