Bloomers Hole Footbridge

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Bloomers Hole Footbridge
Berkshire, Gloucestershire
Bloomers Hole Footbridge.jpg
Location
Carrying: Thames Path
Crossing: River Thames
Location
Grid reference: SU22549881
Location: 51°41’15"N, 1°40’31"W
Structure
Material: Steel
History
Built 2000
Information

Bloomers Hole Footbridge is a footbridge across the River Thames, below Lechlade, between Gloucestershire on the north bank and Berkshire on the south bank. It is situated on the reach above Buscot Lock and was installed in 2000 to carry the Thames Path across the Thames. It is built of steel but encased in wood to make it look like a timber structure.

The Countryside Agency commissioned the local highways authority to design and build the bridge. The design was undertaken by Charlie Benner, the council's senior engineer, and the bridge was installed in 2000. The bridge is borne by two steel beams eight tons apiece and 89 feet long: the beams were put in place in 2001 by a Chinook helicopter from RAF Brize Norton.[1][2]

Bloomer's Hole is at a wide bend in the Thames about quarter of a mile downstream of St John's Lock. The river winds tortuously along here, and although a cut of the river across Bloomer Meadow was mooted as early as 1802, it was never implemented.[3]

See also

References

  1. River Thames Guide: Section 2 – Lechlade to Eynsham
  2. 'Helicopter to help build footbridge': Gazette and Herald, 26 May 2000
  3. Fred. S. Thacker The Thames Highway: Volume II Locks and Weirs 1920 - republished 1968 David & Charles


Bridges and crossings on the River Thames
Footbridge Halfpenny Bridge St John's Bridge Bloomers Hole Footbridge Buscot Lock Eaton Footbridge Radcot Bridge