Over Bridge

Over Bridge, also called Telford’s Bridge, is a single-span stone arch that crosses the canalised West Channel of the River Severn near Gloucester. It links the village of Over with Alney Island and stands just downstream of the city. Thomas Telford designed and built the bridge between 1825 and 1828. The bridge opened in 1830 and carried road traffic east–west until 1974. Before the Severn Bridge opened in the 1960s, this was the lowest downstream crossing of the Severn by road. The elliptical arch spans 46 metres and uses a distinctive ‘corne de vache’ profile at its faces. When the timber supports were removed, the arch settled by 5 centimetres, and later another 20 centimetres. Historic England now protects the bridge as a scheduled monument. A modern road bridge runs alongside for A40 traffic, while pedestrians use the old arch. Segregated cycle paths on Alney Island connect the bridge to Highnam and Gloucester. Visitors walk across the stone arch and see the Severn’s canalised channel below. The bridge is visible from passing trains on the Gloucester to Newport line. Its stonework shows signs of the settlement that followed its construction. The setting combines riverside meadows with views toward Gloucester’s spires. The bridge remains a quiet place to stand and watch boats pass through the channel.