Rights Managed > Historic England > Transport > Railways > Viaducts and railway bridges
Severn Railway Bridge JRU01_01_231
Filename: jru01_01_231.jpg
Size: 5337 x 4103 (2.6MB)
Date: 20th August 2021
Source: Historic England
Credit: A© Historic England Archive
Copyright Status: Copyrighted Work
Source: Historic England Archive
Job Title: Photographer
© Historic England Archive
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Historic England
Severn Railway Bridge JRU01_01_231
Severn Bridge, Lydney, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The Severn Bridge, viewed from the South Wales Railway on the west bank of the River Severn.
The Severn Bridge was opened in 1879, and carried the Severn and Wye Railway across the River Severn. In 1960, two barges collided with a bridge pier, and two spans collapsed. In 1961, during repair work, a similar collision occurred and it was deemed uneconomical to repair the bridge. It was demolished in the late 1960s. Following the opening of the Severn Road Bridge in 1966, the Severn Bridge is often referred to as the Severn Railway Bridge
Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places
Media ID 22656144
© Historic England Archive
Civil Engineering Post Medieval Rail Transport Railway Bridge
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Historic Images
> The Victorian Age
> The 1870s
> Transport
> Bridges
> Severn Bridges
> Transport
> Railways
> Viaducts and railway bridges
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures the majestic Severn Railway Bridge, a lost landmark that once stood proudly in Lydney, Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The bridge, also known as the Severn Bridge, was an engineering marvel when it opened its gates to rail transport in 1879. Spanning across the mighty River Severn, this post-medieval structure served as a vital link for the Severn and Wye Railway. However, tragedy struck in 1960 when two barges collided with one of the bridge piers causing two spans to collapse. Despite repair efforts in 1961 after another collision occurred during restoration work, it was ultimately deemed uneconomical to restore this iconic piece of civil engineering. The late 1960s saw the demolition of the Severn Bridge; however, its memory lives on through photographs like this one by J R Uppington. Today, when referring to bridges crossing over the River Severn from South Wales Railway's perspective on the west bank, people often mention the more recent landmark -the Severn Road Bridge- completed in 1966. This print not only showcases a lost piece of history but also highlights how important infrastructure can shape our landscapes and connect communities. It serves as a reminder of both human ingenuity and nature's power while honoring an architectural gem that once graced Gloucestershire's skyline.
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