Walton Bridge
On Wednesday we cycled under the two Walton Bridges. Have you ever cursed the traffic and the potholes on Walton Bridge? Prompted by the itch of curiosity about the clearance work being undertaken at the approaches to the bridge, I decided to try and find out why it is so bad. Answer: it is a temporary bridge, opened in 1999 and planned to be replaced by 2008. This is the fifth Walton Bridge.
The lifespan of the first Walton Bridge was 1750 to 1783. At the time it was considered a wonder and was even painted by Canaletto. It does look splendid. The second Walton Bridge (1788 – 1859) was painted by Turner. This bridge collapsed in 1859. The third bridge lasted from 1864 – 1985. It was damaged during the Second World War and replaced by a fourth bridge in 1953. This one lasted 46 years and was closed to traffic in 1999, because its untreated iron supports were corroding badly. It is now used only by cyclists (as we know) and pedestrians. The sixth is planned to open in June 2013. I wonder how long that will last.
Attribution of photo of Fourth Walton Bridge: Oliver White
As for cyclists, we are told that: “There will be a 3.5m (11ft 6 in) wide shared footway/cycleway on the upstream side of the viaduct. On the downstream side pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists will have exclusive use of the existing viaduct, which will be retained and linked to the footway on the new bridge. A pedestrian/cyclist ramp and a horse ramp will link from the existing viaduct, and pass under the new bridge, before joining the riverside path.”
See link to Scheme Layout.
Let's see what happens.
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