This railway bridge crossed the Severn from just north of Sharpness to Purton. I think it was probably built to get coal from the Forest of Dean to the Bristol area.
There was a swing section in the middle to allow ships through up to Gloucester.
In the sixties some of the middle sections were destroyed by fire.
Two barges carrying petrol to Sharpness docks collided. Both caught fire and one of the burning barges then crashed into the bridge. The bridge was so badly damaged that the decision was made to pull it down.
The only remains are on the Sharpness side. Apparently the remains of the barges can be seen at low tide
Sharpness Canal on the right of the surviving pillar.
Blocked up door
Barred upstairs window
Surviving arch of railway bridge
Texture of the stone was very interesting - very carefully shaped limestone. It had strange pock-marks in it that looked like shrapnel damage - but weren't.
Beached Severn barge next to pillar - The Severn Falcon. You can just make out it's name
There was a swing section in the middle to allow ships through up to Gloucester.
In the sixties some of the middle sections were destroyed by fire.
Two barges carrying petrol to Sharpness docks collided. Both caught fire and one of the burning barges then crashed into the bridge. The bridge was so badly damaged that the decision was made to pull it down.
The only remains are on the Sharpness side. Apparently the remains of the barges can be seen at low tide
Sharpness Canal on the right of the surviving pillar.
Blocked up door
Barred upstairs window
Surviving arch of railway bridge
Texture of the stone was very interesting - very carefully shaped limestone. It had strange pock-marks in it that looked like shrapnel damage - but weren't.
Beached Severn barge next to pillar - The Severn Falcon. You can just make out it's name
