Recall the excitement of February 1, 2025. Locals gathered with bagpipes and bridge-themed cake. It was a party to celebrate the reopening of the Gasworks Bridge.
The Gasworks Bridge, also known as the Old Gasworks Bridge, stands before us. It is an iron bridge that spans the River Thames in Oxford. The Gasworks Bridge links St Ebbes to the Grandpont nature reserve. It crosses the river between Iffley Lock and Osney Lock.
Originally, this wasn’t just a footbridge. The Oxford & District Gas Company built it in 1886. The Gasworks Bridge served as a railway bridge. A short branch line carried coal to the gas works from the Cherwell Valley Line. The junction was just south of Osney Rail Bridge. Imagine sections of the bridge assembled on the riverbank. Then imagine them floated into position.
The gas works were demolished in 1960. Today, no evidence of the railway remains on the footbridge.
For a short time after the railway closed, a private road seemed to cross here. The Environment Agency even called it “Road Bridge.” However, no road crosses the Gasworks Bridge now. Most people still call it by its old name, Gasworks Bridge. Some have called it “Osney Footbridge.” However, that name is also used for a different bridge.
The Gasworks Bridge closed in March 2021. There were fears that it could collapse. Restoration began in October 2023. Contractors had initially delayed the work. They said the bridge was too weak for scaffolding. The restoration included ground investigation, painting and brickwork repairs.
The Gasworks Bridge has a simple design. It stands 12 feet 2 inches high. The framework of girders supports metal pipes. The bridge’s industrial design is a reminder of Oxford’s past.
The bridge is more than just metal and girders. It is a vital link for many. It makes it easier to walk and cycle to work or school.
The Gasworks Bridge might not be as famous as other Oxford bridges. Yet, it has its own unique story. It connects not just land. It also connects the present to Oxford’s industrial past. As you cross, remember the coal trains and the gasworks. Think about the community celebration. The Gasworks Bridge stands as a testament to Oxford’s enduring spirit.