List of crossings of the River Severn

Motorway crossings over the River Severn

Second Severn Crossing (M4 motorway)

Severn Bridge (M48 motorway)

Queenhill Viaduct (M50 motorway)

This is a list of crossings of the River Severn in Great Britain (including bridges, tunnels, ferries and fords), in order from source to mouth.

The Severn has historically been a very important and busy river, and has been bridged throughout history. The bridges that stand today are often of great historical and/or engineering interest — for example the world's first iron bridge, The Iron Bridge, built from cast iron crosses the River Severn at Ironbridge Gorge. The Iron Bridge is one of three bridges on the River Severn that are listed as grade I structures, including Bewdley Bridge and the Severn Bridge, which was opened in 1966. In total, 31 bridges that cross the River Severn are listed, either grade I, II* or II. Four bridges are Scheduled Monuments, including The Iron Bridge, which are nationally important archaeological bridges.

Many reaches of the Severn are prone to severe flooding, prompting the design of many unique bridges to cope with this.

Crossings

Key to heritage status

Status	Criteria
I	Grade I listed. Bridge of exceptional interest, sometimes considered to be internationally important
II*	Grade II* listed. Particularly important bridge of more than special interest
II	Grade II listed. Bridge of national importance and special interest
SM	Scheduled Monument. Nationally important archaeological bridge.

In order, moving downstream:

Crossing	Date	Coordinates	Heritage status	Locality	Notes	Image
The source of the River Severn			-		Included for completeness	120px
First culvert on the Severn			-	Hafren Forest	Provides Forestry Access. Also carries the Severn Way long distance footpath from left bank to right bank when heading downstream.	120px
First footbridge on the Severn			-	Hafren Forest	Carries the Severn Way long distance footpath from right bank to left bank when heading downstream.
Blaen Hafren Falls culvert			-	Hafren Forest	Provides forestry access. Also carries Severn Way long distance footpath from left bank to right bank when heading downstream.
Second footbridge on the Severn	1992		-	Hafren Forest	Previously known as the 'First Bridge On The Severn'. Opened May 1992 by Lady Hooson, wife of Emlyn Hooson, Baron Hooson. Also carries Severn Way long distance footpath from right bank to left bank when heading downstream. The Wye Valley Walk long distance footpath starts here.
Rhyd-y-Benwch Ford			-	Hafren Forest	First ford on the Severn. Provides forestry access.
Rhyd-y-Benwch Footbridge	1997		-	Hafren Forest
Cwm Ricket Bridge			-	Cwm Ricket	First road bridge on the river. Weight limit of 12.5T.
Cwm Ricket Pipe Bridge			-	Cwm Ricket	Previously known as Irish Bridge and Paddy's Bridge. Provides forestry access, as nearby Cwm Ricket Bridge has a 12.5T weight limit. With high water, it becomes a ford.
Severn Break Its Neck Footbridge	1995		-	Rhyd-yr-Onnen	Provides view of waterfall and gorge.
Rhyd-yr-Onnen Footbridge			-	Rhyd-yr-Onnen
Hafodfeddgar Farm Bridge			-	Hafodfeddgar	Provides farm access.
Geufron Farm Bridge			-	Geufron	Provides farm access.
Tynwtra Footbridge			-	Tan Hinon	Has been dismantled - only abuttments remain.
Glynhafren Farm Bridge			-	Glynhafren	Provides farm access.
Old Hall Ford			-	Old Hall	Provides farm access.
Glanhafren Bridge	1972		-	Old Hall	First tarmac-surfaced road bridge on the Severn.
Nantyrhebog Footbridge			-	Glan-y-Nant
Cancoed Footbridge			-	Glan-y-Nant
Felindre Bridge	1848		II	Mount Severn	Designed by Thomas Penson, masonry arch bridge
Colonel's Bridge	1975		-	Llanidloes	Timber bridge also known as Pen-y-Green Bridge, named after Colonel Davies-Jenkins
Short Bridge	1850		II	Llanidloes	Designed by Thomas Penson
Long Bridge	1826		II	Llanidloes	Designed by Thomas Penson, carried the B4518 road.
Morfodion Farm Bridge	1859		-	Llanidloes	Timber bridge built as part of the Llanidloes and Newtown Railway, later becoming part of the Cambrian Railway's route from Newtown to Builth Wells; the railway was closed on 31 December 1962. Now used as a farm access bridge.
Dolwen Bridge	1926		-	Upper Penrhuddlan
Llandinam Bridge	1843		II*	Llandinam	Iron arch bridge designed by Thomas Penson, the first of its type in Montgomeryshire.
Caersws Railway Bridge			-	Caersws	Timber bridge carries the Cambrian Line.
Caersws Bridge	1821		II	Caersws	Triple span arch bridge designed by Thomas Penson. Carries the A470 road.
Festival Footbridge	1951		-	Aberhafesp	Suspension footbridge built by David Rowell & Co.
Penstrowed Railway Bridge			-	Penstrowed	Carries the Cambrian Line.
Glanhafren Hall Railway Bridge			-	Glanhafren Hall	Carries the Cambrian Line.
Dolerw Park Footbridge	1973		-	Newtown, Powys	Suspension footbridge designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
The Long Bridge	1827		II	Newtown	Designed by Thomas Penson
Halfpenny Footbridge	1972		-	Newtown	Fourth bridge on this site, the first dating from 1830
Newtown Bypass Bridge	1993		-	Newtown	Carries the B4568 road, Cambrian Way.
Cilgwrgan Bridge	1862		II	Aberbechan	3-span brickwork arch bridge
Abermule Bypass Bridge	1975		-	Abermule
Brynderwen Bridge	1852		II*	Abermule	Designed by Thomas Penson, built by the Brymbo Company of Wrexham. Bridge is inscribed: THIS SECOND IRON BRIDGE CONSTRUCTED IN THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY WAS ERECTED IN THE YEAR 1852.
Fron Footbridge	1926		-	Plas Meredydd	Suspension footbridge by David Rowell & Co
Caerhowel Bridge	1858		II	Trwstllewelyn	Designed by Thomas Penson. Bridge is narrow, with traffic lights.
Cil-cewydd Bridge	1861		II	Cil-cewydd	Designed by Thomas Penson.
Cil-cewydd Railway Bridge			-	Cil-cewydd	Built for Oswestry and Newtown Railway
Leighton Bridge	1872		II	Welshpool	Carries the B4381 road. The listing description is "Bridge over channel N of Severn Lodge".
Buttington Railway Bridge			-	Welshpool
Buttington Bridge	1872		II	Welshpool	Cast iron arch bridge, carries the A458 road.
Pool Quay Farm Bridge			-	Pool Quay
Llandrinio Bridge	1775		II	Llandrinio	Stone arch bridge. Oldest surviving bridge on the river. Bridge is narrow with traffic lights.
Crewgreen Bridge	1947		-	Crewgreen	Built as a railway bridge but converted to a road bridge. Crosses from Wales to England.
Montford Bypass Bridge	1992		-	Montford	Carries the A5 road. Designed by Sir Owen Williams and Partners as part of the A5 Telford to Shrewsbury and A49 link improvement.
Montford Bridge	1792		II	Montford Bridge	Masonry arch bridge by Thomas Telford. Former A5 route, now carried the B4380 road.
Frankwell Footbridge	1979		-	Frankwell, Shrewsbury	Cable-stayed footbridge designed by Mott, Hay and Anderson
St George's Bridge			-	Shrewsbury	Demolished in 1795 and replaced by the Welsh Bridge. It was also known as the Old Welsh Bridge.
Welsh Bridge	1795		II*	Frankwell, Shrewsbury
Porthill Bridge	1922		-	Shrewsbury	Suspension footbridge by David Rowell & Co
Kingsland Bridge	1881		II	Shrewsbury	Toll road bridge
Greyfriars Footbridge	1879		-	Coleham, Shrewsbury	Wrought iron truss bridge
English Bridge	1927		II*	Shrewsbury	Designed by John Gwynn. Completely rebuilt in the 1920s using the original 1774 stone work, but the bridge was widened by 26 feet (7.9 m) and the gradient reduced; reopened on 26 October 1927. It carries the A458 road.
Shrewsbury Railway Station Bridge	1838		-	Shrewsbury station	Designed by Robert Stephenson and Joseph Locke.
Castle Walk Footbridge	1951		-	Shrewsbury	The first prestressed concrete balanced cantilever bridge in the UK
Telford Way Bridge	1964		-	Shrewsbury	Prestressed concrete bridge. Designed by Scott Wilson Group, it carries the A5112 road.
Shrewsbury Bypass Bridge	1992		-	Shrewsbury	Carries the A49 road.
Shrewsbury Bypass Bridge	1992		-	Shrewsbury	Carries the A49 road.
Belvidere Bridge	1848		II*	Shrewsbury	Designed by William Baker; carries the Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury Line.
Shrewsbury Bypass Bridge	1992		-	Shrewsbury	Carries the A5/A49.
Atcham New Bridge	1929		-	Atcham	Designed by L G Mouchel
Atcham Bridge	1776		II*	Atcham	Masonry arch viaduct designed by John Gwynn
			SM
Cressage Bridge	1913		-	Cressage	Carries the B4380 road. Reinforced concrete bridge by L G Mouchel
Buildwas Bridge	1992		-	Buildwas	Carries the A4169 road. Replaced a bridge previously built in 1796 by Thomas Telford
Ironbridge "A" Road Bridge (disused)	1932		-	Ironbridge	Coalbrookdale. Steel truss bridge providing access to Ironbridge Power Station
Ironbridge "B" Road Bridge	1963		-	Ironbridge	Coalbrookdale. Prestressed concrete bridge providing access to Ironbridge Power Station
Albert Edward Bridge	1864		II		Designed by John Fowler; carries the remaining section of the Wellington to Craven Arms Railway
The Iron Bridge	1779		I	Ironbridge	Arch bridge; the world's first cast iron bridge, built by Abraham Darby III, now foot access only. In the 1970s, major work was undertaken to restore the bridge, including an inverted concrete arch in the river bed to keep the abutments apart.	120px
			SM
Free Bridge, Jackfield	1909		II	Jackfield	The Free Bridge, which was also known as the Haynes Memorial Bridge, opened in 1909 by public subscription, it was the first toll-free crossing of the Ironbridge Gorge. The bridge was the first bridge in England constructed using reinforced concrete and was designed by L G Mouchel. The bridge became unsafe and was demolished in 1993 to make way for the new Jackfield Bridge.	120px
Jackfield Bridge	1994		-	Jackfield	Cable-stayed bridge designed by Gifford & Partners, carrying the B4373 road.
Jackfield and Coalport Memorial Footbridge	1922		-	Coalport	A steel truss footbridge
Coalport Bridge	1818		II*	Coalport	Iron arch bridge, replaced a crossing built in 1777
			SM
Coalport Sewage Treatment Works Bridge			-	Coalport	Bridge serving the Coalport Sewage Treatment Works, owned by Severn Trent Water
Apley Park Bridge	1905		-		Suspension footbridge, designed and built by David Rowell & Co. This is a private road bridge for the Apley Park Estate, and is not a public footpath. Weight limit is 1 tonne, and only one vehicle allowed on the bridge at a time.
Severn Bridge, Bridgnorth	1823		II	Bridgnorth	Originally medieval, but rebuilt in 1795 with improvements made Thomas Telford in 1823
Bridgnorth Bypass Bridge	1985		-	Bridgnorth	A458
Hampton Loade Water Treatment Works bridge	1965		-	Hampton Loade	Bridge serving the Hampton Loade Water Treatment Works. The tubular welded blue arches are waterpipes that carry a small roadway suspended below. The bridge is owned by South Staffordshire Water.
Hampton Loade Ferry	<1600		-	Hampton Loade	The only 'Reaction Cable' ferry in the UK. The present boat dates from 2004. It is 20 feet (6.1 m) by 9 feet (2.7 m) and carries up to 12 passengers plus the operator. Operated by the Hampton Loade Community Trust at weekends during the summer provided the river level is suitable.
Highley-Alveley Footbridge	2006		-	Highley	Replaced the Alveley Colliery Bridge, which was built in 1937 to take coal to Stourport Power Station.
Upper Arley Ferry	1331–1972		-	Upper Arley	Ancient ferry, replaced by the Arley footbridge
Arley footbridge	1971		-	Upper Arley	Truss footbridge, replaced a vehicular ferry
Victoria Bridge	1861		II*	Upper Arley.	Cast iron arch designed by John Fowler. Carries the Severn Valley Railway.
Elan aqueduct	circa 1900		-	Trimpley	Carries water from the Elan Valley at Rhayader to Birmingham. It is also known as the Elan Valley Pipeline Bridge
Dowles Bridge	1864		-		On the former Tenbury & Bewdley Railway; dismantled 1965, piers only remaining.
Bewdley Bridge	1798		I	Bewdley	Multiple masonry arches, designed by Thomas Telford. Listed as "Severn Bridge Including Flanking Arches and Balustrade".
Bewdley Bypass Bridge	1987		-	Bewdley	Carries the A456 road
Stourport Bridge	1870		II	Stourport-on-Severn	Single iron arch, replaced a 1775 bridge. Listed as "Bridge over River Severn"
Holt Fleet Bridge	1828		II	Holt Fleet	Cast iron trussed arch; designed by Telford, opened 1828 and strengthened with reinforced concrete in 1928. Identical design to Galton Bridge, Smethwick over canal (1829).
Bevere Island Bridge	1844		-	Grimley	Links island to East bank; not a full crossing.
Sabrina Footbridge	1992		-	Worcester	Asymmetrical, cable-stayed bridge with one tower.
Worcester Railway Bridge	1904		II	Worcester	Iron truss. Listed as "Railway Bridge, Worcester". Carries the Cotswold Line over the river near Worcester Foregate Street station.
Worcester Bridge	1781		II	Worcester	Multiple masonry arches designed by John Gwynn. Reconstructed in 1930. Carried the A44
Worcester Cathedral Ferry	Ancient		-	Worcester	Also known as Priory Ferry. Operated every day till the 1950s. Service restarted in 1983. As of 2009, it is the only Rowing Ferry across the River Severn; it is operated by volunteers during the summer, every afternoon at weekends and bank holidays.
Diglis Bridge	June 2010		-	Worcester	Located just downstream of Diglis Island. Carrying pedestrians and Route 46 of the National Cycle Network
Carrington Bridge	1985		-	Worcester	Carrying the A4440 Southern Link Road
Rhydd Ferry			-	Worcester	Ferry was working until approximately 1914.
Upton-upon-Severn bridge	1940		-	Upton-upon-Severn	Girder bridge, latest of several here dating back to 1539.
Upton-upon-Severn Railway Bridge			-	Upton-upon-Severn	Former bridge of the Tewkesbury and Malvern Railway which was part of the Midland Railway. The currently closed line ran from Great Malvern to Tewkesbury. Demolished bridge over the River.
Queenhill Viaduct	1960		-	Queenhill	Carrying the M50 Motorway
Mythe Bridge	1826		II*	Mythe	Near Tewkesbury. Cast iron arch, built by Telford. Opened as a toll bridge; now free. Major repair work in 1993/94; now single lane with 3 m width limit and 17 ton weight limit and controlled by traffic lights. Crosses from Worcestershire to Gloucestershire.
Haw Bridge	1961		-	Near the village of Apperley	West of Tewkesbury. steel beam bridge.
X X
The River Severn splits at the Upper Parting between the 2 mi (3.2 km) long West Channel, known locally as the Maisemore Channel, and the 3.6 mi (5.8 km) long East Channel around Alney Island
X X
West Channel crossings
Maisemore Bridge	1956		-	Maisemore	Carries the A417. Single masonry arch, latest of several bridges here dating back to 1230.
New Over Bridge (Northern Bypass)	1974		-	Gloucester	A40
Over Bridge	1829		SM	Gloucester	Single masonry arch, built by Telford.
Over Railway Bridge	1957		-	Gloucester	Railway bridge on the Gloucester to Newport Line. Originally the lowest railway crossing downstream as part of the South Wales Railway, until the construction of the Severn Tunnel.
East Channel crossings
Waltham bridge (Northern Bypass)	1983		-	Gloucester	A40
St Catherine's Viaduct			-	Gloucester	Railway bridge on the Gloucester to Newport Line. Originally the lowest railway crossing downstream as part of the South Wales Railway, until the construction of the Severn Tunnel.
Westgate Bridge (eastbound)	2000		-	Gloucester	A417. It replaced an earlier bridges opened in 1189, 1809 and 1974.
Westgate Footbridge	1974		-	Gloucester
Westgate Bridge (westbound)	2000		-	Gloucester	A417. It replaced an earlier bridge opened in 1974.
Castle Meads Footbridge	1987		-	Gloucester
Castle Meads Bridge	2005		-	Gloucester	A430
Llanthony Railway Bridge (disused)			-	Gloucester
Disused footbridge			-	Gloucester
The East and West Channels rejoin at the Lower Parting
Severn tunnel (1810)	1810		-	Newnham on Severn	Failed attempt to build a tunnel, abandoned after water broke in
Severn Railway Bridge	1876		-	Lydney – Sharpness	Demolished 1970 after accident.
Severn-Wye Cable Tunnel	Circa 1970	East West	-	Beachley – Aust	The tunnel is 47.5 m deep, with a diameter of 3.05 m and a total length of 3,678 m. The tunnel carries two 400 kV circuits, each with three cables. The tunnel is owned by National Grid. The image to the right shows the cables on pylons entering the Aust (eastern) end of the tunnel before going underground.
Severn Bridge	1966		I	Chepstow – Aust	Steel suspension bridge. Listed as "Severn Bridge and Aust Viaduct, First Severn Crossing".
Aust Ferry	1827		-	Beachley – Aust	Closed circa 1860. Service recommenced 1926, finally closed 1966.
Aust Severn Powerline Crossing			-		Longest powerline span in the UK at 1 mile (1,618 metres).
New Passage Ferry	1863	East West		New Passage - Black Rock	Railway ferry link on the Bristol and South Wales Union Railway
Severn Tunnel	1886		-		Railway tunnel, part of the South Wales Main Line.
Second Severn Crossing	1996		-		A cable-stayed bridge which marks the official start of the Severn Estuary.

See also

• Severn crossing
• List of crossings of the River Wye
• List of bridges in Wales
• List of disasters on the Severn
• Severn bore
• Severn Way

Bibliography

• Witts, Chris, A Century of Bridges, River Severn Publications, 2nd ed, 1998

External links

• Severn bridges