Overbridge

 

Hilariously, we had to visit this site in passing and take a photo from the moving car as otherwise it was just impossible to get out and view the bridge properly. We'd hit several Gloucester sites in a very short period of time as they were all in the same proximity and we learnt of Over Bridge moments before we drove by it, so don't judge the photography please, we wanted to include it all the same!

Otherwise known as Telford's Bridge, Over Bridge is a single-span stone arch bridge that spans the West Channel canal of the River Severn. It links Over to Alney Island.

There was already a crossing at Over that was recorded in the Domesday Book, but this wasn't it. Over Bridge was built by Thomas Telford, hence Telford Bridge, between 1825 and 1828 in order to carry traffic in the east-west direction. Telford had based his own design on Jean-Rodolphe Perronet's 1774 design for a bridge over the River Seine. It was opened in 1830 and remained in service for traffic until 1974, although it did need some slight alterations as the arch sank a little.

In the current day and age the bridge now serves as a pedestrian only crossing and is looked after by Historic England. We wanted to include it, especially as it is a scheduled monument, as we just love history and many historical sites are being removed, knocked down, or if it is a tree- had died. Just look at the Robin Hood tree! A lot of history is dying out so we are trying to immortalise as much as we can. We've decided that is our purpose, so please don't mind the short posts, they are worthy too!