Footbridge Adjoining Top Lock

The footbridge adjoining Top Lock was built around 1815 by engineer John Rennie and manufactured by Stothert of Bath. It features a coursed limestone rubble pier to the east and a ramp to the west. The bridge has cast iron segmental arches with open circles in the spandrels that decrease in size towards the center. A plain handrail and vertical railings rise from the south-west for approximately 6 meters, with an extra long/short length extending over the canal. The cast iron arches are smaller but similar to those of the footbridge in Sydney Gardens, which dates to 1800. An inscription plate at the apex of the span reads "STOTHERT BATH." This bridge was constructed to connect the new developments along the slopes of Bathwick Hill with the city. The Kennet and Avon Canal, which it spans, was authorized in 1794 and fully opened in 1810.