North Central Midlands
Warwickshire, Northamptonshire, Leiscestershire, Gloucestershire
EDSTONE AQUEDUCT 1750-1799 Warwickshire SP674 131 N52o 14’ 45.8” W1o 45’ 50.2”
This is a very satisfyingly bold, self-confident structure which carries the Stratford Canal over a valley, a roadway, and the rail road tracks. Its length of 520 feet is second only to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in Wales. The bolted cast iron trough with its tow path an integral part alongside at the level of the canal bottom is similar in design to Telford’s Longdon-on-Tern aqueduct but here the substantial brick piers with the reverse arch support at the outer edges of the trough are much more visually effective. This was designed by either or both William James and William Whitmore depending on your authority.
It is not easy to find and there is a confusing railroad bridge also crossing the road close by which LOOKS like an aqueduct from below until a train instead of a barge goes overhead. Turn off the road to Wootton Wawen at the Golden Cross pub in Bearley onto Salters Lane which will take you under the aqueduct.
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BRAUNSTON BRIDGES Northamptonshire 1829 Thomas Telford HEW 352 SP532 660 N52o 17’ 24.2” W1o 13’ 13.1”
In 1829 Thomas Telford was straightening the curves in the northern section of the original Oxford Canal laid out by Brindley along the contour lines in 1770-90. He used a number of similar bridges of his design cast by the Horseley Iron Works. At this junction with the Grand Union Canal, he used a pair of these standardized iron bridges in combination with a connecting arched brick bridge. The result is a very Telford interplay between the solid masonry abutments and central bridge with the airy grace of the paired ironwork bridges. These bridges, similar to other bridges on the canal at Cathiron, Newbold on Avon, and Brinklow are made up of large pre-cast units. Each bridge spans 50’ in a semi-elliptical arch whose ribs also incorporate the parapets and hand rails. Such a shallow arch meant the head room at the outer edges was higher than with the conventional arch.
To find the bridges and the canal basin, proceed easterly on A45 and turn right as you come into Braunston at the sign indicating a chandlers’ store.
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YARNINGDALE/PRESTON BAGOT AQUEDUCT 1834 Warwickshire N52o 17’ 42.5” W1o 43’ 54.3”
This aqueduct was fabricated for the Stratford Canal by the Horseley Company to replace one damaged by flooding in the small waterway it carries the canal across. It is a handsome trough of bolted cast iron plates with a decorative railing along the towpath side. In design and detailing it is very like the other Horseley Aqueducts at Edstone and Wootton Wawen.
To find it, go through Yarningdale Common and continue to the dead-end of Yarningdale Lane. Park and walk down the public footpath to canal lock 34 and the aqueduct. The best view of the aqueduct is from the other, tow path side of the canal.
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WOTTON WAWEN AQUEDUCT 1813 Warwickshire N52o 15’ 54.4” W1o 46’ 11.1”
This charming cast iron plate aqueduct and tow path carries the Stratford Canal over the A3400 in the heart of this small Warwickshire town next to the Canal Basin. Its engineer was William Whitmore (c. 1748-1816) as the plaque says. Note that the bolts holding the iron plates together have their nuts on the outside for easy tightening.
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SOAR LANE RR BRIDGE 1831-33 Robert Stephenson Leicester HEW1745 SK579 045 to SK 417 167 N52o 38' 18.3" W1o 8' 41.8"
George Stephenson advised the backers on the route and recommended standard gauge for the proposed 16 mile long Leicester and Swannington RR line which included a mile long tunnel and two inclines. His son Robert was the engineer. This bridge has two spans, each with a shallow elliptical arch which rest in the middle of the river on a masonry pier. It has a classic Regency design with simple balustrade and “gothic” open circle detail in the spandrels. It is now a road bridge in an industrial area over a canal.
To find it, take A50 to City Centre and when you cross a water way, take the second hard right which is Soar Lane, but not marked for that direction. (The right hand street on an angle is Grand Central).
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ST.SAUL’S BRIDGE 1814 Witham, Essex William Cubitt HEW1362 TL824 139
This simple Regency bridge is similar to William Cubitt’s two earlier bridges at Brent Eleigh 1813 and at Clare 1814. It is marked by the iron works Ransome & Son, Ipswich. William Cubitt had a distinguished career, earning the presidency of the Institution of Civil Engineers and a knighthood. This single span of 18’ on the B1018 carries the road over the River Brain. It has been upgraded and repaired over the years and in 1955 a footpath was added to the SW side with an inappropriate brick parapet and concrete arch which hides that side of the old bridge.
To find the bridge take the road to Malden (not marked as B1018) and look for the "Weak Bridge" sign this side of the bridge or Saul's Close on the far side.
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RUGBY FOOT BRIDGE 1835 at Cathiron Warwickshire SP502 770 N52o 5’ 37.7” W3o 48’ 28.1”
This footbridge is by the Horseley Ironworks who supplied very similar cast iron bridges from a design by Thomas Telford at Braunston, Brinklow, and Newbold on Avon for the improvements being made on the Oxford Canal in the early 1830’s. This charming bridge crosses the junction between the new section of the canal and a by-passed loop of the old line.
To find the bridge, take the B4112 out of Rugby towards Harborough Magna, but turn off at Easenhall Road and then take Cathiron Lane almost to its end at the canal basin.
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RUGBY AQUEDUCT 1834 Rugby Warwickshire SP503 771 N52o 23’ 21.6” W1o 15’ 42.4”
The new stretch of the Oxford Canal which was part of the program of improvements carried out under the direction of C.B. Vignoles in the early 1830’s included an aqueduct over the old Leicester Road at Rugby. William Cubitt was the consulting engineer and the iron trough and its six supporting arched iron ribs was probably designed ty James Potter and cast by Parkes & Otway of the Capponfield Ironworks at Bilston. It is a very bold and impressive design, with the black iron trough and arches holding its own with the massive, high masonry abutments.
To find the aqueduct, turn off the high street onto Brownsover Road and take the first left onto Old Leicester Road. The section under the aqueduct is now a pedestrian and bicycle path.
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QUAY PIT BRIDGE 1822 at Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire HEW387 SO892 330 N51o 59’ 43.2” W2o 9’ 28.4”
This iron arch 52 foot long bridge crosses the River Avon just above the locks which join the Avon to the Severn River in the heart of Tewkesbury beside the mills. The five cast iron ribs spring from the masonry abutments with spandrels that are filled with open iron circles. The decking is of iron plates on which rest cast iron kerbs which hold the cast iron railings. It is still in use and was completely restored and strengthened unobtrusively in 2001.
To find it from the main High Street (A438) look for the Tudor House Hotel – a pseudo Tudor black timbered building. Two ancient lanes lead from the High Street (several stores to either side of the Hotel) to the canal area and the bridge. One is called Clark’s Alley and the other is Red Lane.
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MYTHE BRIDGE 1826 nr. Tewkesbury, Glouchester Thomas Telford SO889 337 N52o 0’ 7.1” W2o 9’ 47.1”
This bridge over the Severn River near its Avon junction - with its charming gothic toll house, its pointed arches in the abutments as well as the detailing on the stone piers, and even the detailing of the outer cast iron arches - has a medieval touch. It is also distinguished by being Telford’s longest cast iron bridge at 170 feet. As usual, Telford has combined iron and stone into a beautifully orchestrated play of lightness and solidity. Telford’s letter dated March 11, 1828 to the Institution of Civil Engineers refers to this bridge as being “rather special”. The spandrels have the latticework design, internal cross-bracing, and tie rods that he and William Hazledine used on other bridges during this era of their collaboration, such as the Holt Fleet Bridge.
To find it from Tewkesbury city center, follow the signs to Ledbury. This bridge now carries the A438 over the Avon one lane at a time.
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