Stowell Park Footbridge
near Pewsey, Wiltshire
A privately-owned footbridge crossing the Kennet and Avon Canal.
One of the few surviving bridges by James Dredge, Senior. It is of additional historical importance because it is probably the least-altered Dredge bridge in existence.
The bridge cannot be used by the public, but it can be viewed from the canal towpath. A number of photographs are available online, allowing details to be studied[1] [2]. The 'taper' chains are forged from round rod. There are eight chain rods at the pier end, reducing to one at mid span. The piers are cast iron. In these respects the bridge is similar to the Ness Islands Footbridges designed by James Dredge. The main deck beams are of rectangular section wrought iron bar, 4" deep and 1/2" thick. The transverse members, which are slightly arched, are clamped to the main beams via cast iron brackets. The rest of the decking is wooden. Some of the details of construction of the deck have similarities to those illustrated for the larger Bally Khal Bridge (India).