Pike Bridge Project

The Work Underway Picture Gallery - Work Advances on Eastern Side

The eastern half of Pike Bridge is quite different to the western half in a number of important respects. This is the location of the original brick bridge built by the Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation in about 1776. In 1970 the arch was destroyed and the tops of the abutments damaged but, in spite of this, quite a lot has survived underground and the aim is to retain this. The new bridge deck, which has a significantly shorter span than the west side, will be built on new concrete foundations cast behind the 18th century brickwork. In order to provide enough headroom, the soffit of the bridge will be flat but the parapet will be ornate like its western counterpart.

Click on images for a larger version.....

Digger moves in to excavate the eastern infill - 5th May 2005	The south east corner of Pike Lock where the steps descend to the towpath under the bridge with (left to right) the medium pressure gas main, water main and two telecom ducts running across the tail of the lock (there is also a low pressure gas main still buried next to the water main) - 6th May 2005
The exposed south abutments of the original 1770s bridge. This has survived up to the level where the arch started. 9th May 2005	It proved necessary to excavate behind the abutments right down to the underlying mudstone almost 5m below ground. 12th May 2005
Concrete being poured into the hole excavated behind the north abutment on the same day it was excavated. 12th may 2005	Excavations on the north west side of the bridge reveal the original canal wall and location of the Pike Lock overflow outlet. 10th May 2005
Formwork for the eastern deck under construction 19th May 2005	View of the bridge from the east side 20th May 2005
A photo of the inside of the pike lock overflow culvert towards the outlet. The last 8ft (2.5m) approx of the culvert was missing or damaged when the bridge was demolished in 1970 or damaged further by subsequent water pressure caused by that work. Photo by Ken Bailey 14th May 2005 - repair work by SW Waterway Recovery Group and CCT has since been completed.	SW Waterway Recovery Group have been working with the Trust on the Pike Lock overflow culvert. A new retaining wall will be constructed behind the canal side wall by volunteers. 28th May 2005
Reinforcing steel for the eastern deck 26th May 2005	The west face with wooden formering for the cross features removed 9th June 2005
Repairs and rebuilding work to the overflow outlet area are complete and work has started on the retaining wall. 9th June 2005	Concrete being poured into the eastern parapet 15th June 2005

Earlier Pictures

Later Pictures - The final Phase

Cotswold Canals Trust Link