Three concrete arches rise before us. This is Twickenham Bridge. It elegantly crosses the River Thames. Did you know that Twickenham Bridge links Richmond and St. Margarets? It was built in 1933. The bridge is part of the A316 or Chertsey Road. This road connects Central and West London to the M3 motorway.
Maxwell Ayrton was the architect. Alfred Dryland was the head engineer. Early designs included four seventy-foot towers. These were to be built on the riverbanks. Locals opposed the design. They thought it unsuitable for Richmond.
The final design featured three reinforced-concrete arches. These arches rest on concrete piers. The bridge has Art Deco embellishments. Twickenham Bridge was the first UK bridge to use permanent hinges. These hinges help the structure adjust to temperature changes. Bronze cover plates decorate the arch springings. These plates also adorn the arch crowns.
Ribbed shuttering created the ribbed finish on the concrete piers. The approach walls used precast blocks. These were wire brushed for a rough finish. Open bronzework makes up the balustrades and lamps. The Bromsgrove Guild cast and fitted these bronze elements. You can see them in the lamp standards and parapets. They also crafted the railings on the staircases. These staircases connect the road to the riverbank.
Edward, Prince of Wales opened Twickenham Bridge on July 3 1933. In 1992, the UK’s first Gatso speed camera was launched here on Twickenham Bridge.
Twickenham Bridge gained Grade II* listed status in 2008. This protects its unique character. It prevents unsympathetic development.
Before Twickenham Bridge existed, locals used ferries. They also detoured to Kingston or Brentford to cross the river. The bridge eased traffic on Richmond Bridge. It also reduced congestion in Richmond.
Look closely at the bronze lamp standards. Admire the decorative railings. They lead down the stairwells. These features offer classy views from below. Note the wing-shaped bronze cover plates. They shield the internal hinges at each arch’s base.
Twickenham Bridge stands among great company. Nearby are Richmond Bridge. Also close are Richmond Railway Bridge and Richmond Lock. These bridges represent engineering across three centuries. Twickenham Bridge exemplifies early 20th-century design. It combines function with Art Deco beauty. It is a testament to innovation and artistry.
The bridge cost £217300. Some locals initially opposed the bridge. The Surrey approach cut through Old Deer Park. This led to it being known as ‘The Bridge that Nobody Wants’.
Alfred Dryland was a leading road engineer. He oversaw major road projects. The Great West Road was one of his triumphs. Maxwell Ayrton championed reinforced concrete. He believed it deserved architectural recognition. Together, they created a lasting landmark.
The three-hinged design was innovative. It allows for movement without damage. This was especially useful where ground settlement was likely. French engineer Armand Considère pioneered this technique. Twickenham Bridge was an early adopter in the UK.