Building record 395/2/5 - Bridge No. 95 (Combined Accommodation & Turnover Canal Bridge)

{1} Turn-over bridge. c.1830. Brick with moulded blue brick coping to parapet and blue brick string course at base of parapet. Iron plaque over arch with number '95'. The flanking walls curve down on either side and extend forward beside the canal. A second wall runs parallel to them bordering the tow path, which is carried across the bridge to the opposite side. The section of the Oxford Canal on which this bridge stands was built in 1829-34 as part of a scheme for shortening and straightening the canal, which formerly joined the Grand Union Canal at Braunston Wharf. (H. Compton, The Oxford Canal, 1976, p.95).

{3} The bridge has curved inclines from the towing paths on each side of the canal on the north-east side. This enabled boats working on the London to Birmingham route to pass under without unhitching the rope from the horse. The other side of the bridge connects fields on each side of the canal, but a brick wall across the bridge prevents access to the towpaths.

<1> Clews Architects, 1980s, Database for Listing of Historic Buildings of Special Architectural Interest: Northamptonshire, 4/111 (checked) (Digital archive). SNN102353.

<2> List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest ("Greenback"), F04 (unchecked) (Catalogue). SNN44900.

<3> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2001, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage Of Northamptonshire, p.14 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN104759.

<4> Compton H.J., 1976, The Oxford Canal, p.95 (unchecked) (Book). SNN104878.

<5> Northamptonshire Industrial Archaeology Group, 2011, A Guide To The Industrial Heritage of Northamptonshire (2nd Edition), p.17 (checked) (Gazetteer). SNN107622.

Record last edited

May 19 2017 12:16PM