Southern Link Bridge, now known as Carrington Bridge.

Viewpoint near Carrington Bridge.

This viewing point was provided at great cost to the council taxpayer, for visitors to the city to enjoy the view, unfortunately lack of maintenance by the Worcester City Council has made this impossible, unless you bring your own stepladder.

I recently had this letter published in the local newspaper The Worcester News. Bill Meadows had written a letter with a similar theme.

Dear Sir,

I entirely agree with Bill Meadows recent letter regarding trees obstructing views along the riverbank.

The viewpoint at Carrington Bridge, provided at great expense by the council taxpayer for the use of visitors to the city is also completely obscured by tree growth. I have complained to the relevant department, and even to the local councilor and ex Mayor without success.

Max Sinclair a local historian, made this comment recently; All trees and bushes should be removed from the river bank as in times of heavy flood they pile up the rubbish and then roll over pulling out a soil covered root ball. The old River Severn Commissioners used to keep both banks clear to allow the quick dispersal of flood water.

It seems the local authority is much too busy to trim trees along the riverbank to help alleviate flooding and promote the Severn as Worcester’s principal attraction

Basil Drinkwater

The Railway bridge Spans the Severn at Worcester.

Situated upstream from the road bridge, first built in 1860 to connect Malvern with Worcester, initially a single line track.
The first construction had cast iron spans, a government inspector found faults and a wooden structure was built to strengthen.
In 1904 the present Girder Bridge was built, retaining the central support of its predecessor.
The bridge now carries the Hereford to Paddington line.

Viaduct at Worcester.

The Railway Viaduct crossing Hylton Road, built by Brunel in 1858, is reputed to be the first in the world built on the curve, quite an achievement with a ball of twine.
R.M.Sinclair
The viaduct is one and a half miles long and contains sixty eight arches.

Bridgnorth Bridge. Thomas Telford.

The Severn bridge at Bridgnorth was designed by Thomas Telford (1757-1834) in 1810 and opened in 1828
In 1787 Telford became surveyor of works for Shropshire. Telford had established a reputation as an engineer and in 1790 built a bridge over the River Severn at Montford. This was followed by a canal linking the ironworks and collieries of Wrexham with Chester and Shrewsbury. This involved building an aqueduct over the River Dee. On the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Telford used a revolutionary method of construction consisting of troughs made from cast-iron plates and fixed in masonry.
Telford was involved with many projects including roads, bridges and docks countrywide.
Telford is buried in Westminster Abbey.

Myth Bridge, Tewkesbury.

The Mythe Bridge at Tewkesbury was designed by Thomas Telford, it was opened in 1826. The bridge has 170 ft span made of cast iron. It was strengthend in 1923, is now restricted to single lane traffic.

One dark night a tanker came down the Severn on the flood out of control and destroyed the Mythe bridge. Max.

An 1890’s postcard photographer has captured a remarkable incident at the bridge. A pair of horse drawn canal boats have come down river from the canal at Stourport on Severn drifting on the current. As the enlarged portion shows the boatman has erected a black tarpaulin sail on the boats towing mast to obtain some steerage from the breeze. Unfortunately as he approaches the bridge the wind has died and he has been forced to use his long iron tipped ash shaft to push on the eight foot deep gravel bottom. By this method the breasted up boats can be lined up to drift under the bridge arch. With a bit of luck, and much skill, he will run through the centre arch and not break his mast.
While all this is going on the photographer has also captured a painter who has fastened his ladder to the bridge parapet and climbing down is busily painting the ornate ironwork facing to the bridge. He has painted the right hand panels picking out the scrolls.
All being well he will have the bridge looking bright and cheerful for the Coronation celebrations. Hopefully a steamer will not come upstream and sweep him and his ladder into the river as there were no Health and Safety regulations in those days. Max
Navigating the River Severn in times of flood was a highly dangerous business and the skippers of Tankers, Barges and Tugs needed all their skill to negotiate the limited dimensions of Worcester Bridge. Coming downstream the boats were often out of control and could not be steered through the bridge arches.The skipper of the tanker “Regent Lady” has turned by the Rowing Club and then reversed under the Railway Bridge controlling his vessels speed with forward drive and gently lowered into the eastern arch of Worcester Bridge. He has lowered the wheelhouse which just enables him to scrape under the bridge without getting stuck which has happened to less fortunate boatmen.
With the river running at full spate the Skipper of “Regent Swift” has lowered all the deck fittings and charges upstream to push through the bridge. The flow of water is higher on the upstream side of the bridge and the boat can rise up and collide with the masonry. A highly dangerous operation when laden with 150 tons of petrol or aviation fuel. Max

Worcester Bridge in the 1900’s with cast iron parapets

The tunnels at each end of bridge would be very usefull today for riverside walkers, obviating the need for pedstrians to brave the traffic to cross to south side.

The east tunnel at far left of bridge, was for the railway and the west for flood relief. When the bridge was widened the tunnels were filled with concrete to strengthen the bridge and then faced with stone.Gwynnes bridge was built for horse and carts so it is just as well it was reinforced for overloaded 44 ton lorries. Max.

Todays View in 2004.

Sabrina Bridge.

Sabrina footbridge crosses the Severn between Pitchcroft and the Westside of Worcester.
The bridge was opened by the Right Worshipfull The Mayor of Worcester Councillor Ray Turner on 22nd February 1992.

Plaque on Sabrina Bridge.

Sabrina Footbridge crosses the Severn between Pitchcroft and the Westside of Worcester. Plaque reads: The name Sabrina was selected by a Schools competition, it relates to the legend of Sabrina or Sabern, it is said that the River Severn is named after her.

Holt Fleet Bridge, Thomas Telford 1757-1834.

Built by Thomas Telford, and opened in 1828. Strengthened by Worcester County Council 1920’s.

Holt Fleet Bridge 1932.

Stourport Bridge.

Stourport Skaters.

The massive steel girders supporting Upton bridge.

During the battle of Upton (1651) soldiers crossed the Severn at Upton, the only crossing at this time between Gloucester and Worcester.