Powick Bridge

Old bridge, and chimney of former power station

Old bridge

The bolted flanged connections between individual rib sections can be seen in the shadows. The ribs spring from a common cast iron plate set into the abutment. See details below

What the foundrymen thought of the fiddly bits is not recorded, but at least the bridge erectors had somewhere to hang their coats

Powick, near Worcester

There are two bridges over the River Teme at Powick, the ancient 'Powick Old Bridge' and the 19th C. 'Powick New Bridge'. The site has much to offer the industrial history enthusiast.

Old Bridge

The old bridge crosses the River Teme and the millstream from Powick Mills. It is a skew bridge, from an era when realigning the road would have been the preferred option to avoid such complications. Skew bridges were to become an unavoidable necessity with the coming of canals and railways in the Industrial Revolution.

'The Happy Pontist' provides a good account of the bridge.

New Bridge

Built 1836-7, opened 1838.

Engineer Charles Henry Capper.

The main span has seven cast iron arch ribs, with integral spandrels, each assembled from three sections. Fine foundrywork by W. Yates of Birmingham.

See Also

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