Bridges No.39 - Staines Bridge

Staines has a long history, and developed in part as a crossing point of the Thames. There has been a bridge at Staines since at least Roman times. This is clear from the name given to Staines by the Romans: Pontes. Staines was an important crossing point following the Roman invasion as it linked two of the South East's major Roman settlements, London and Silchester (between Reading and Basingstoke).

In 1222 the bridge appears in the historic record for the first time since the Roman era. Henry III provided timber from woodland in Windsor for repairs to the bridge. This was the first in a long line of timber provision by the Royal household that continued through to 1713. The first legislation relating to the bridge dates from 1509 and allowed the Lord Chancellor to appoint persons to take tolls and to repair the bridge. During the English Civil War, in 1671, the bridge was destroyed and replaced by a ferry by the bridgemasters. Records show that the bridge was been rebuilt by 1684/7, and its existence was threatened again in 1688 to hamper William of Orange's advance to London. A timber bridge was still recorded as being here in 1708.

However, by the late 18th century a new bridge was being built, from stone. Work began in 1791 to a design by Thomas Sandby and the bridge was complete in 1797. Unfortunatley the six years of work were in vain - the bridge collapse immediatley after opening! By 1803 a cast-iron bridge was in place, followed by a wood and iron construction in 1807. During all this time the old wooden bridge remained in place. The iron bridge quickly became unsafe and Acts in 1828, 1829 and 1834 led to the construction of the present day bridge.

The current bridge dates from 1832 and was officially opened by William IV. Its construction allowed some redesign of the street pattern of Staines with both Bridge Street and Clarence Street laid out at the same time. The bridge was designed by George and John Rennie, mainly known for their railway bridges, including Grosvenor Bridge.