Sydney Gardens Footbridge (MLN110614)

The Sydney Gardens Footbridge is a Grade II* listed structure, notable for its architectural design and materials. The east abutment is made of Bath stone ashlar, which curves to meet a contemporary Bath stone retaining wall along the Down line. This abutment features a cornice that matches the deck fascia and parapet, with coping moulded only on the external face. There are repairs using purple engineering brick at the arch footings.

The bridge itself has a skewed segmental arch with a standard span of 30 feet (9 meters). It consists of three cast-iron arched ribs with open spandrels, supported by vertical uprights, and carries a recent timber deck, which was originally made of cast iron plates. Above the outer ribs, there is a cast-iron fascia that is moulded as a cornice, supporting a parapet made of vertically-sided hoops clasped together by rings to form balusters, which are connected by loops at the top and bottom.

The west abutment is also constructed of Bath stone ashlar and features a cornice, with wide projecting piers on each side. There is a pedestrian passageway through the west abutment, which is simply designed with a barrel vault. Above this passageway, the parapet and footway curve down, with the inner face of the parapet being boldly stepped and the coping moulded only on the outer face.