Victoria Bridge

Victoria Bridge is a suspension bridge built in 1836 by engineer James Dredge. It is constructed from limestone ashlar and wrought iron. The bridge features a single span with plain classical ashlar arches on both banks, and attached pylons on each side of the segmental arch. It has a plain blocking course and a pedimented entablature, with the same treatment on both faces. The arches support suspension chains made of seven flat wrought iron links that are riveted together at intervals. The suspension rods are tensioned at different angles and are part of Dredge's Patent, as noted on a cast iron plaque on the bridge. The deck is made of wrought iron girders and carries a wooden roadway that has been tarmacked, flanked by iron safety railings.

Historically, this bridge employs a suspension system first used by Captain Brown on the Union Bridge near Berwick-upon-Tweed, which dates back to 1820. The load on the suspension cables is balanced evenly by arranging them at increasingly acute angles to the main catenary cables as they approach the center of the bridge. Although the bridge is now used only for foot traffic, it remains an important example of early suspension bridge design, largely unaltered since its completion in December 1836, and named in honor of Queen Victoria's accession in 1837. Dredge had previously submitted a similar design for the Clifton Suspension Bridge competition, which was won by Brunel. The bridge underwent repairs in the 1940s and stands as an impressive example of Neo-classical masonry and innovative iron technology, reflecting the heavy engineering associated with West Bath from the early 19th century.