IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Newbridge Road, BRISTOL, BS4 4GH

There used to be a warehouse here

An old mooring post still makes for a useful bollard to the path that runs along the south banks of the River Avon. In the past this stretch of the river would have been largely a place to moor boats before the enormous board mills were built (and demolished) in the twentieth century.

A concrete construction crossing the Avon close to the junction with the New Cut. A bridge was built in the late nineteenth century but this version is a newer one.

The River Avon at this point just above New Brislington Bridge is not tidal. In a short splash it will tumble over Netham weir, never to return. To monitor the level, a strange bit of kit is attached to the bridge. Ott are a company specialising in hydrology, and so this appears to be some sort of system that fires out a signal that bounces off the water and is reflected in the second tube. A data cable sneaks along the parapet and into a box.

This photograph of Brislington New Bridge and Netham Weir was taken from a train window while crossing the river Avon.

Crossing the tidal and unnavigable River Avon. The device on the end of the nearby wall was used to help boats turn into the Floating harbour's Feeder Canal, through Netham Lock.

New Brislington Bridge, beyond Netham Weir. No passage here to the continuation of the navigable Avon towards Bath except via Bristol's Floating Harbour and the Feeder Canal to nearby Netham Lock.

A reinforced concrete structure, dating around 1930 (it was new then). Crosses the River Avon a few yards above the tidal weir. The river above the weir is navigable as far as Bath having access to Bristol Docks via The Feeder Canal. The bridge provides an essential link between Redfield, Pile Marsh and other areas north of the river and St.Anne's and Brislington to the south. The next road-bridge upstream is the (A4174) ring road (there is a footbridge at ST 621 730). Thanks to advice from fellow Geographer Stephen Richards have been able to find the following http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bridgeport_Lamp_Chimney_Company_Bowstring_Concrete_Arch_Bridge from this have been able to establish this is a Bowstring Concrete Arch Bridge and my guestimate of around 1930 was probably not far out. For more information see the link.

Entrance to the Feeder Canal to the right.

Until the early 1800's, Bristol Docks were tidal, which made it awkward unloading ships. This weir was built to keep the water level in the Floating Harbour constant, and a new channel was dug for the River Avon to flow down. Although the river is theoretically tidal as far as Keynsham Lock, the effects of tides are much reduced upstream of this point. The same spot, seen from the opposite direction, can be seen here Image]