Bridges No.31 - Teddington Footbridge

The Teddington Lock Footbridge crosses a particularly wide part of the river at the point where the tidal influences on the river cease. There are two parts of the bridge, the bit I took a picture of the suspension bridge, being the most interesting and largest - it links Teddington to the lock island. Another iron girder bridge crosses the channel of the lock system from the island to Ham.

Until Teddington Lock was built, the river was tidal as far as Kingston. Construction began in 1810 and was completed with the weir in 1812. The first lock was entirely built from timber and had to be repaired in 1825. A major rebuild took place in 1856-8 when foundation stones were laid and a narrow skiff lock was included. In 1869 a boat slide was added and in 1904-5 a large the barge lock was built. This is now the largest lock along the whole length of the Thames.

The two bridge were put in place between 1887 and 1889. The bridges were designed by G Pooley and replaced a ferry at Teddington.