Over Bridge, Gloucester
at Over, Gloucester
The lowest crossing of the river Severn before the Severn Crossings, this masonry bridge was built by Thomas Telford in 1828.
150 ft span, with 35 ft rise, although the tapered haunches give the impression of a flatter arch, while also aiding the flow of water during floods.
There is a noticeable dip at mid-span. The centre of the arch dropped 3" on removal of the wooden centring, and a further 7" due to displacement of the eastern abutment, which, due to false economy, had inadequate foundations. The western abutment was on firmer ground.
The design was based on a much earlier bridge at Neuilly on the Seine, designed by Perronet.
An interesting account of the bridge is available here [1]
The spandrels are not solid, there being five cells across the width of the bridge, 2 ft 6" wide, as can be seen in a drawing in the above link.
The bridge has been bypassed, but is accessible on foot. Access from the fast and busy A48 needs to be well researched before attempting to reach the footpaths!
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Telford’s bridge over the Severn at Over, Gloucester', by Bill Harvey, 2011