Potley Lane Bridge (MLN19850)

Potley Lane Bridge is a Grade II listed structure built with local Bath stone ashlar, featuring spandrels and soffit that have been partially refaced in contrasting red and purple engineering brick by the Great Western Railway. The bridge has a flying segmental arch with a span of approximately 50 feet (15 meters).

On the north (Up) side, there is an impost band with a narrow face beneath it. The south (Down) side has a shallow projecting abutment beneath the springing point, which may be a later alteration. The soffits have been partially refaced in engineering brick and are adorned with a bold stepped string course. The parapets have square cut coping and terminate in square piers, which are only expressed on the outer faces. Above the coping, there is aluminium panelling attached to the inside faces.

On the east (low mileage) face, about half of the spandrels have been neatly refaced in engineering brick, making them appear as if they were intentionally designed panels. On the west (high mileage) face, most of the north (Up) spandrel has been similarly refaced, while less of the south (Down) spandrel has been treated, with the south patch appearing more ragged. A steel pipe attached to the west (high mileage) face is noted, but it is not of special interest.

Additionally, a long quarry-faced stone wall along the roadside abuts the south (Down) side of the west (high mileage) parapet, and a short quarry-faced boundary wall abuts the up side of the east (low mileage) parapet. These walls do not seem to be part of Brunel’s bridge.

From the bridge, the Box Tunnel East Portal is visible to the west, along with several accommodation bridges to the east.