Teddington Lock Footbridges, Suspension footbridge in Richmond upon Thames, England
Teddington Lock Footbridges consist of two iron footbridges spanning the River Thames, connecting a small island between the watercourse and the lock structure to the river bank. Wooden ramps are built into both bridges to allow cyclists and people with strollers to pass conveniently from Teddington to Ham on the opposite bank.
The bridges were built between 1887 and 1889 at a location where a ferry service once crossed the river, a fact preserved in the name Ferry Road that still exists today. This replacement of ferry service by fixed bridges was part of broader improvements to transportation along the Thames during that period.
The footbridges show Victorian craftsmanship through their stone balustrades and metal fixtures that still shape the character of this crossing point. Visitors notice these details while walking across and can appreciate the solid construction methods of that era.
The bridges are easily reached on foot and both sides of the river connect well to surrounding pathways. Pedestrians and cyclists will find a convenient crossing here without needing to take longer routes.
The western bridge uses suspension cable technology while the eastern structure employs a girder system, showing two different construction methods at the same location. This side-by-side comparison reveals how engineers experimented with different approaches during the Victorian era.
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