Teddington Footbridge

Teddington Footbridge is a suspension and girder footbridge that crosses the River Thames and Lock Cut, built around 1888. The bridge was designed by engineer George Pooley and constructed by Messrs Goddard and Massey of Nottingham. It features a single span suspension bridge supported by two pairs of steel towers topped with delicate finials, which are now encased in polygonal concrete piers. The bridge has steel suspension cables and a sectional riveted girder construction with cross ties.

The southern approach includes a timber boarded walkway on concrete and timber stilts with iron railings, while the northern walkway is modern and not of special interest. The bridge and the southern approach ramp have an asphalt surface. The girder bridge, which is also a single span with riveted sectional construction, has partly rendered concrete piers, one of which incorporates a brick arch for pedestrian access beneath. The south pier features moulded stone coping stones, and there are steps leading down to the towpath on the north-west side, equipped with iron handrails.

Historically, the bridge was built in the late 19th century to replace a ferry crossing that connected Teddington on the south bank with Ham on the north bank of the River Thames. The suspension bridge links Teddington to Creweyte or Swan Ait island, which was created as part of a navigational improvement in 1811-12. The girder bridge is believed to have been constructed around the same time as the suspension bridge, connecting the island to the north bank.

Teddington Footbridge is notable as a functional and attractive transport structure that remains relatively intact, dating back to around 1888.