Reading Bridge

Reading Bridge
Reading Bridge viewed from the south bank
Coordinates51°27′39.5″N 0°58′04.5″W / 51.460972°N 0.967917°W / 51.460972; -0.967917
CarriesB3345
CrossesRiver Thames
LocaleReading
OwnerReading Borough Council
Maintained byReading Borough Council
Characteristics
DesignArch
Total length180 feet (55 m)
Width40 feet (12 m)
Height18 feet (5.5 m)
No. of spans1
Clearance below17 feet 8 inches (5.38 m)
History
Construction startMarch 1922
Opened3 October 1923
Location
Map
The bridge viewed from upstream

Reading Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames at Reading in the English county of Berkshire. The bridge links the centre of Reading on the south bank with the Lower Caversham area of the cross-river suburb, and former village, of Caversham on the north bank. It crosses the river a short way above Caversham Lock.

The current bridge is the first on the site, and was opened on 3 October 1923. It has a single reinforced concrete main span of 180 feet (55 m), which was, at the time of construction, the longest such span in the United Kingdom. There are also two side arches for footpaths. The span rises to a height of 18 feet (5.5 m) at the centre, giving a navigation clearance of 17 feet 8 inches (5.38 m). The bridge deck is 40 ft (12 m) wide and carries a 27 ft (8.2 m) wide carriageway and two flanking footways.[1][2]

  1. ^ Lambert, Helen; Matthews, Paul (2023). "Reading Bridge : 1923–2023 : 100 years of crossing the Thames at Caversham". Caversham & District Residents’ Association. Archived from the original on 11 July 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2023.
  2. ^ "Bridge heights on the River Thames". River Thames Alliance. Archived from the original on 24 January 2008. Retrieved 16 August 2008.