Cotswold Canals in Pictures

Thames Head Bridge

The surviving original bridge structure stands alongside the Cirencester / Tetbury Road (A433) which was realigned in 1962, making the bridge largely redundant. It now serves a few property frontages.

It is a standard Thames & Severn canal company road bridge built of rubblestone with ashlared voussoirs and drip mould in the segmental arch. The wing walls are built with an inward ‘batter’ and curve outwards from the arch to end in pilaster terminals. The parapet is level over the arch and topped by a plain stone coping.

A new bridge would be required for the A433 if the canal is to be restored in this area.

(Tap / click images to enlarge)

 

Thames Head Bridge
Re-aligned road beside original canal bridge at Thames Head
Thames Head Bridge
Old road over original Thames Head bridge - looking towards Cirencester
Thames Head Bridge
Thames Head Bridge - bypassed by re-aligned A433
Thames Head Bridge
Plaque on Thames Head Bridge
Thames Head Bridge
Thames Head Bridge bypassed by re-aligned A433 - looking towards Cirencester
Thames Head Bridge
View from Thames Head Bridge looking along 'canal' towards Coates
Thames Head Bridge
Canal duct under the A433 at Thames Head (1962).
[Courtesy Gloucestershire Archives - Ref. D9746]