Victoria Bridge, Datchet
Encyclopedia
Victoria Bridge is a road bridge running North/South between Datchet
and Windsor, Berkshire
, England. It crosses the River Thames
on the reach between Old Windsor Lock
and Romney Lock
. It was rebuilt in 1967 to replace a damaged bridge.
The Victoria and Albert
Bridges in Datchet were built to replace the old Datchet Bridge
as part of the rerouting of the Datchet to Windsor roads following the expansion of the grounds of Windsor Castle
. Prince Albert is said to have had a part in the design Victoria Bridge was built in 1851, paid for partly by the Windsor, Staines and Richmond Railway Company who were keen to have access to Windsor across part of the castle property. The original bridge was built of cast iron with stone abuttments. The bridge was severely damaged by a group of tanks crossing it during World War II
but was not closed until 1963, operating with weight restrictions. There was a temporary bailey bridge
and the central crossing was replaced by a concrete structure and reopened in 1967. Under the terms of the original contract, British Rail
were required to contribute to the cost.
Datchet
Datchet is an English Thameside village and civil parish situated in the unitary authority of Windsor and Maidenhead in the county of Berkshire. It was transferred to Berkshire from Buckinghamshire in 1974....
and Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, England. It crosses the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
on the reach between Old Windsor Lock
Old Windsor Lock
Old Windsor Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England close to Old Windsor on the side of the river towards the town. The lock marks the start of the New Cut, built in 1822 by the Thames Navigation Commissioners, which created Ham Island in the hook of the old river...
and Romney Lock
Romney Lock
Romney Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England near Windsor and Eton. It is on the Windsor side of the river next to a boatyard and adjoins Romney Island, a long strip of land in the middle of the river. The first lock was built by the Thames Navigation Commission in 1798.The weir is some...
. It was rebuilt in 1967 to replace a damaged bridge.
The Victoria and Albert
Albert Bridge, Datchet
Albert Bridge is a road bridge in England running North/South between Datchet and Old Windsor. It crosses the River Thames on the reach between Old Windsor Lock and Romney Lock...
Bridges in Datchet were built to replace the old Datchet Bridge
Datchet Bridge
Datchet Bridge, also known as The Divided Bridge, was a road bridge which crossed the River Thames at Datchet from 1706 until it was demolished in 1848. It was situated on the reach between Old Windsor Lock and Romney Lock and linked Windsor on the Berkshire bank to Datchet on the Buckinghamshire...
as part of the rerouting of the Datchet to Windsor roads following the expansion of the grounds of Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
. Prince Albert is said to have had a part in the design Victoria Bridge was built in 1851, paid for partly by the Windsor, Staines and Richmond Railway Company who were keen to have access to Windsor across part of the castle property. The original bridge was built of cast iron with stone abuttments. The bridge was severely damaged by a group of tanks crossing it during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
but was not closed until 1963, operating with weight restrictions. There was a temporary bailey bridge
Bailey bridge
The Bailey bridge is a type of portable, pre-fabricated, truss bridge. It was developed by the British during World War II for military use and saw extensive use by both British and the American military engineering units....
and the central crossing was replaced by a concrete structure and reopened in 1967. Under the terms of the original contract, British Rail
British Rail
British Railways , which from 1965 traded as British Rail, was the operator of most of the rail transport in Great Britain between 1948 and 1997. It was formed from the nationalisation of the "Big Four" British railway companies and lasted until the gradual privatisation of British Rail, in stages...
were required to contribute to the cost.