Paddington Basin (3)
In 2004 the discovery of the hidden Brunel bridge within the old
Bishops Bridge made headline news. Last minute diplomacy ensured
that the bridge was not demolished, but taken apart carefully with
a view to rebuilding at a later date
Looking through the old Bishops bridge from Sheldon Square. This is
actually a view from 2002, a time when the historic context of the
bridge had yet to be revealed. For now it was thought that this bit
that linked up the motely collection of structures forming the
Bishops Bridge across the throat of Padidngton Station and basin
was nothing but an old bridge whose time had come
View of the east side of the Bishop Bridge linking strucures. The
canal and Brunel bridge is behind the wooden hoarding. The date is
January 2004, before the historic revelation was made
The middle half of the Bishops Bridge link. The tube platforms are
actually adjacent to the canal
The western part of the Bishops bridge link. The more modern
bowstring structure straddled the depature platforms at
Paddington.
Even my pictures from 2003 clearly showing the Brunel ironwork
underneath the bridge didnt indicate their origin! Should have
looked closer!
Prince Regent at Sheldon Square in April 2004 with the Brunel
bridge inthe background half dismantled
A powerful zoom shot clearly showing the Brunel ironwork that was
used as a 'skeleton' for the newer brick clad structure
The Brunel ironwork in all their glory before being dismantled and
preserved
No more bridge, however the island remains. It was gone within the
week
May 2004 and the Brunel structure has been removed to storage. The
canal has been drained and the 'island' demolished. Work now begins
on the long term project to build a modern link road across the
basin and station throats
A view from the upper deck of a No27 bus! This was the only way to
obtain a good image of the last days of the bowstring girder
structure above Paddington station. This view preceedes the
bridge's removal
The old bowstring bridge lifted away from its foundations and ready
for demolition! March 2005
The eastern foundations for the new Bishops Bridge being set into
the canal
Whilst the basin was closed throughout the first part of 2004, this
notice appeared by the Harrow Road bridge extolling canal traffic
to go 'this way.' Which way was that meant to be? And a cannal -
whatever could that be?
One cannal ways wait till the cows come home! Cow spotted by
Monsoons in May 2004. The company were using it for fashion
shoots. Next:
Paddington Basin - Part four
London Canals
