Paddington Basin
Paddington Basin (3)
Brunels bridge was hidden for one and half centuries, its discovery was made just in time before they began to demolish it
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
