This bridge is an integral part of the structure of the weir which itself is a part of the half-tide lock which was opened in 1894. The lock was constructed to reduce the tidal range between here and Teddington and thereby maintain a navigable depth. Patent sluices are lowered in three spans of the bridge between 2 hours after and 2 hours before high water. This keeps a minimum depth above the weir of 5 ft 9 inches. Triangles of three red discs by day and lights by night indicate the sluices are down and passage has to be through the lock. The red triangles are replaced by orange marks when the sluices are raised and passage may be made beneath them through these spans.

The bridge connects a footpath across the Old Deer Park recreation ground, Richmond and a footpath to Ranelagh Drive, Twickenham.

O/S Co-ords:1700.7506
Source(s):

Kew Past

Rural Walks around Richmond

Thames Crossings. Bridges, Tunnels and Ferries