Ashton Swing Bridge

From Bristol Railway Archive

To Bristol Docks: Ashton Swing Bridge North Signal Box
To Ashton Junction: Ashton Swing Bridge South Signal Box

History

At one time a road went across the river at this spot as well as a railway, and the bridge was a double decker. Half way along a control cabin was raised even higher above the road on stilts. The bridge was built by John Lysaght and Co and opened on the 3rd October 1906 by the Lady Mayoress, Mrs A.J.Smith. The original estimate for the bridge was £36,500 with the GWR agreeing to pay half. The final bill, however, was £70,389 and the city council asked the railway to increase its contribution. They agreed and finally contributed £22,000. The swing span is 202ft long and weighs 1000 tons. It could be swung in either direction.

The bridge wasn't swung after February 1934 and was fixed in position in 1951. Road traffic across the top deck ceased in 1965 and the line across the bridge was singled in 1976.

1900s

An early postcard of the bridge showing the top deck and control cabin.

1990s

Pannier tank 1369 trundles across the bridge in 1996. © Geoff Hartland

2003

9.11.03

This photo was taken from the same footbridge that the last photo in the Ashton Meadows Sidings set was taken. It shows the view along the top of the bridge.	A side-on view of the bridge looking east from the south banks of the River Avon.	The other side of the bridge. The warehouse in the background houses the Bristol Record Office.	The bridge viewed from one end to the other.
The north side of the bridge. This end of the bridge is significantly wider than the other.	The view along the bridge. The footbridge from where I took the first photo in this sequence is just visible beyond.