Published in Windlesora 32 (2016)
© WLHG 2016
Black Potts Bridge
Black Potts Bridge comprises four, 70 feet spans carrying the Windsor branch over the River Thames. The piers consist of cast iron cylinders enclosed by brickwork, with masonry cut-waters. The first pier from the Datchet end is on an island in the river.
The original spans were cast-iron arches, one of which failed on 14th August 1849, just before the line was due to open. This was caused by the settlement of one of the piers. Passenger trains ran to Datchet from 22nd August, but not to Windsor until 1st December 1849, after the bridge had been repaired and strengthened.
There is a segmental brick arch over the tow path at the Windsor end of the bridge. All of the arches were replaced in 1892 by wrought iron plate girders.
Black Potts Viaduct
Black Potts Viaduct, a short distance towards Datchet, originally carried the line over a loop off the river, but has been utilised to take a major flood relief channel under the railway. The Jubilee River, completed in 2002, runs from upstream of Maidenhead to downstream of Windsor and was constructed for the Environment Agency.
Gregory Beecroft
Note: images are copyright of the author.
Windsor Local History Group 