Osney Bridge

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Osney Bridge
Oxfordshire
OsneyBridge.jpg
Osney Bridge looking north from Osney Island
Location
Carrying: A420 road
Crossing: River Thames
Location
Location: 51°45’10"N, 1°16’23"W
Structure
Design: arch
Material: iron
History
Built 1889
Information

Osney Bridge is a road bridge across the River Thames in Oxford, built in 1889 to replace a stone bridge which collapsed in 1885.[1] It carries the Botley Road (A420) from Botley into Oxford. The Thames Path crosses the river on this bridge, just above Osney Lock.

The original bridge was probably built by the monks of Osney Abbey, to carry the main road across the millstream of Osney Mill west from the island then known as Osney.[2] By the early 17th century it was a three arch stone construction. In 1790 the millstream became the main navigation channel of the river, and the bridge became a serious obstruction to navigation by the mid 19th century. In 1885 the central arch collapsed leaving massive piers[3]

Osney Bridge has the lowest headroom of any across the navigable Thames.

See also

References

  1. Eade, John (2005). "Where Thames Smooth Waters Glide". http://thames.me.uk/s01770.htm. Retrieved 2009-05-14. 
  2. Crossley, Alan; Elrington, C.R. (eds.); Chance, Eleanor; Colvin, Christina; Cooper, Janet; Day, C.J.; Hassall, T.G.; Selwyn, Nesta (1979). A History of the County of Oxford, Volume 4: Communications. Victoria County History. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=22808#s3. 
  3. Thacker, Fred. S. (1968). The Thames Highway: Volume II a history of the locks and weirs. 2. Newton Abbot: David & Charles. ISBN 9780715342336. OCLC 55209571. 
View of bridge with mini-weir from the western side


Bridges and crossings on the River Thames
A34 Road Bridge Godstow Bridge Medley Footbridge Osney Bridge Osney Rail Bridge Gasworks Bridge Grandpont Bridge