Swindon Canal Bridges

[toby webb]

The 6 inch OS map of central Swindon in about 1870 shows bridges over the W. & B. Canal at Drove Road, Princes St., Regent St. and also one at the end of Wellington St. which surprised me. There were also bridges over the N.W. Canal at Fleet St. and John St. Can anyone tell me which one was also known as the Queenstown Bridge?

[youngtug]

Wellington Street

[toby webb]

Thanks Youngtug. Is that to be seen on a map?

[Regorian]

Youngtug is the expert on Swindon. There is a Wiki article and images. The article is not very good, no cause for building given. Opened in 1810 apparently. Connected with the Kennet and Avon and then the River Thames. There's a presevation society and stretches have been reinstated. I thought that only Coate Water (Nr J15 M4), the reservoir for the canal still existed. I presume the purpose was to move agricultural produce from Swindon to London. Wiki does not mention this or that within 30 years it was doomed by the coming of the railways. 

[toby webb]

I'm sure you are right about agricultural produce but transportation of Somerset coal was also very important. Swindon stone may also have been important. T

[KGarrad]

The History page of the Wiltshire & Berkshire Canal Trust says:

In addition to providing a route for coal to the immense London market, the W & B served to bring cheap coal to the market towns of Melksham, Calne, Chippenham, Wootton Bassett, Swindon, Farringdon, Wantage and Abingdon and to Oxford, whilst also offering economic transport for the regional export of agricultural produce and such locally produced goods as bricks, building stone, day pipes,...etc.

http://www.wbct.org.uk/history/brief-history-of-wilts-a-berks-canal

That was coal from the Somerset Coalfield!

[youngtug]

I haven't seen a map of it but it must be shown on one, the library have old maps of Swindon.

Swindon at the time the canal was built was little more than a village on the hill, what is now called Old Town, about half a mile or more from the canal at the bottom of Drove road. It wasn't until the railway was built and the GWR works was started that the new town began.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/39771107@N08/5398343454

[toby webb]

That post card of Wellington bridge shows a good resemblance to the painting in Swindon museum of Queenstown bridge even though the views are of opposite direction. I think you are quite right.
On 6 inch OS of 1875, there is no bridge there but it appears in the 1899 issue. Thanks. T