92
7. Forty Bridge, ST095932;
Visited: 2.9.61;
Access: Swindon Road; Photograph Nos.: -;
Observations: line discernable, but very confused & overgrown.
92 7. Forty Bridge, ST095932; Visited: 2.9.61; Access: Swindon Road; Photograph Nos.: -; Observations: line discernable, but very confused & overgrown.
93
Dance Bridge, ST097924;
Visited: 2.9.61; 17.8.63; 16.8.64;
Access: Swindon Road; Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: Skew type Br. probably, now filled & culverted, no road hump to any extent.
[text and sketch-map crossed-out] See P.109.
Extract
(17.8.63) Line extended NE for some distance; immediately above Br., crosses small stream on single arch aqueduct, line here banked to about 10’, but filled in for several hundred yards to s.
(16.8.64) at symbo is now paved concrete approach from road, with iron gate & notice about tipping rubbish, which is apparently proceeding systematically along line in Cricklade direction.
93 Dance Bridge, ST097924; Visited: 2.9.61; 17.8.63; 16.8.64; Access: Swindon Road; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: Skew type Br. probably, now filled & culverted, no road hump to any extent. [text and sketch-map crossed-out] See P.109. Extract (17.8.63) Line extended NE for some distance; immediately above Br., crosses small stream on single arch aqueduct, line here banked to about 10’, but filled in for several hundred yards to s. (16.8.64) at symbo is now paved concrete approach from road, with iron gate & notice about tipping rubbish, which is apparently proceeding systematically along line in Cricklade direction.
94
9. Occ. Crossing Ballikane Fm., SU099920;
Visited: 2.9.61;
Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: 422;
Observations: Old infill in both N & S directions from this point, but line can be easily inferred from double line of trees beside road.
94 9. Occ. Crossing Ballikane Fm., SU099920; Visited: 2.9.61; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: 422; Observations: Old infill in both N & S directions from this point, but line can be easily inferred from double line of trees beside road.
95
10. Farfield Lane Crossing, SU100919;
Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: -
Observations: Brick arch Br. rather dilapidated, arch nearly filled in, line N visible but diminished; line S wholly filled in w. rubbish (? Cricklade Council dump), part grassed over, about 150 yd infill in all.
95 10. Farfield Lane Crossing, SU100919; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: - Observations: Brick arch Br. rather dilapidated, arch nearly filled in, line N visible but diminished; line S wholly filled in w. rubbish (? Cricklade Council dump), part grassed over, about 150 yd infill in all.
96
11. Road crossing, SU101916;
Visited: 2.9.61; 2.6.62; Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: 461;
Observation: Crossing infilled & flat, over small culvert. Abt 50 yd line visible to N, not overgrown, as shallow dry ditch adjacent to road verge to S as line of trees & hedge.
96 11. Road crossing, SU101916; Visited: 2.9.61; 2.6.62; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: 461; Observation: Crossing infilled & flat, over small culvert. Abt 50 yd line visible to N, not overgrown, as shallow dry ditch adjacent to road verge to S as line of trees & hedge.
97
12. Road Crossing, SU102915;
Visited: 2.9.61; Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: No br. remains; but slight ‘hump’ in road, with railway to S side. Line S from here is very clear, as dry wide grassy trench, in fairly deep banks; runs under road.
97 12. Road Crossing, SU102915; Visited: 2.9.61; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: No br. remains; but slight ‘hump’ in road, with railway to S side. Line S from here is very clear, as dry wide grassy trench, in fairly deep banks; runs under road.
98
13. Occ. Crossing (Newth’s Lane) SU104909;
Visited: 2.9.61; 2.6.62; Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: 423;
Observations: Well-defined line, grassed almost to level of adjacent field.
98 13. Occ. Crossing (Newth’s Lane) SU104909; Visited: 2.9.61; 2.6.62; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: 423; Observations: Well-defined line, grassed almost to level of adjacent field.
99
14. Hayes Knoll Lock, SU105908;
Visited: 2.6.62; Access: - ;
Photograph Nos. 462;
Observations: Some trees remain; slight rise in line, and adjacent road. Lock probably associated with occ. Br. to nearby farm; Br. now filled over, chamber imm. above, overgrown, but trace of lockwall seen from Br. site. Chamber remains contain water, deepish; and some water in line beg. N. Confused masonry lumps in C bed below Lock Br.
99 14. Hayes Knoll Lock, SU105908; Visited: 2.6.62; Access: - ; Photograph Nos. 462; Observations: Some trees remain; slight rise in line, and adjacent road. Lock probably associated with occ. Br. to nearby farm; Br. now filled over, chamber imm. above, overgrown, but trace of lockwall seen from Br. site. Chamber remains contain water, deepish; and some water in line beg. N. Confused masonry lumps in C bed below Lock Br.
100
Woodward’s Br. (Crosslanes), SU106897;
Visited: 16.5.59; 12.9.59; 3.9.61; 3.6.62; 27.8.62; 16.8.64; 3.6.83;
Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: 110, 111, 424, 425, 463;
Observations: Line clearly visible (illegible) N; containing some water, but much overgrown. Crosslanes Lock Cottage altered somewhat, v. little trace of lock.*
(3.6.62). Line N completely filled for abt. 400 yd, new recent filling.
S. line overgrown, but visible. (16.8.64) no change.
*3.6.62 Some evidence that lock chamber still exists, with concrete dams [?] and cont’g some water.
100 Woodward’s Br. (Crosslanes), SU106897; Visited: 16.5.59; 12.9.59; 3.9.61; 3.6.62; 27.8.62; 16.8.64; 3.6.83; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: 110, 111, 424, 425, 463; Observations: Line clearly visible (illegible) N; containing some water, but much overgrown. Crosslanes Lock Cottage altered somewhat, v. little trace of lock.* (3.6.62). Line N completely filled for abt. 400 yd, new recent filling. S. line overgrown, but visible. (16.8.64) no change. *3.6.62 Some evidence that lock chamber still exists, with concrete dams [?] and cont’g some water.
101
16. Pry Lock, SU109885;
Visited: 3.9.61; 3.6.62; 27.8.62; 30.8.62;
Access: - ;
Photograph Nos: 464, 465, 506, 515, 514;
Observations: Some lock remains seen, viz. top part of E chamber walling (brick no gates; chamber more or less rubbish-filled, and no line left above or below (old fill), not overgrown at all. Cottage opp. Lock, other side of road. (3.6.62) empty. (30.8.62) unoccupied for conversion, caravan in garden? But still v. dilapidated. Lock rems. nearly gone now; line can be followed abt. ½ m SE from P. Basin, hard track used by rubbish disposers, ending in large dump, beyond wall, line assumes usual overgrown nature bet. hedges.
101 16. Pry Lock, SU109885; Visited: 3.9.61; 3.6.62; 27.8.62; 30.8.62; Access: - ; Photograph Nos: 464, 465, 506, 515, 514; Observations: Some lock remains seen, viz. top part of E chamber walling (brick no gates; chamber more or less rubbish-filled, and no line left above or below (old fill), not overgrown at all. Cottage opp. Lock, other side of road. (3.6.62) empty. (30.8.62) unoccupied for conversion, caravan in garden? But still v. dilapidated. Lock rems. nearly gone now; line can be followed abt. ½ m SE from P. Basin, hard track used by rubbish disposers, ending in large dump, beyond wall, line assumes usual overgrown nature bet. hedges.
102
17. Aqueduct (River Ray), SU114878;
Visited: 2.6.62;
Access: Gate to old TP at Elborough Br.;
Photograph Nos.: 466;
Observations: Very good 3-arch brick built
(low arches qua Brindley) app level C abt. 10’ above R, & v. good state of presentation. I called this ‘Brennel’ Aqueduct after nearest farm.
102 17. Aqueduct (River Ray), SU114878; Visited: 2.6.62; Access: Gate to old TP at Elborough Br.; Photograph Nos.: 466; Observations: Very good 3-arch brick built (low arches qua Brindley) app level C abt. 10’ above R, & v. good state of presentation. I called this ‘Brennel’ Aqueduct after nearest farm.
103
18. Moredon Bridge (?), SU122873;
Visited: 3.6.62; 16.8.64;
Access: - ;
Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: C level here fairly high (see Section Notes), & road rising over Moredon Hill; therefore fairly high Br. probable, line aspect indicates Br. may have been slewed slightly. No traces Br. work left. Short part of line visible to E of crossing, where vanishes into M & S W J Rly embankment, & then Moredon Power Station. (Presumably all Moredon Locks lines obliterated).
103 18. Moredon Bridge (?), SU122873; Visited: 3.6.62; 16.8.64; Access: - ; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: C level here fairly high (see Section Notes), & road rising over Moredon Hill; therefore fairly high Br. probable, line aspect indicates Br. may have been slewed slightly. No traces Br. work left. Short part of line visible to E of crossing, where vanishes into M & S W J Rly embankment, & then Moredon Power Station. (Presumably all Moredon Locks lines obliterated).
104
Moredon Br. to Swindon Junction;
Visited: 3.6.61; 2.6.62; 27.8.62;
Photograph Nos.: 501, 502, 384, 382, 380, 381;
Observations: (owing to virtual absence of recognisable features and/or reference points, this section is described generally). Line at Moredon swings app 90 degrees to S. Power Sta. has obliterated locks, &c, * but line can be picked up to the S of P.Sta., as fairly wide grass lane (filled) between hedges. Proceeding S, after abt. ½ m, line becomes more distinct, as overgrown
(aquatic plants) bed, w. TP on W side; some traces of water existing in places. Line eventually vanishes in filling for “Trading Estate” developments. Re-appears as vague trace with small hedge & FP running SW across open space from Rodbourne Road to Harcourt
104 Moredon Br. to Swindon Junction; Visited: 3.6.61; 2.6.62; 27.8.62; Photograph Nos.: 501, 502, 384, 382, 380, 381; Observations: (owing to virtual absence of recognisable features and/or reference points, this section is described generally). Line at Moredon swings app 90 degrees to S. Power Sta. has obliterated locks, &c, * but line can be picked up to the S of P.Sta., as fairly wide grass lane (filled) between hedges. Proceeding S, after abt. ½ m, line becomes more distinct, as overgrown (aquatic plants) bed, w. TP on W side; some traces of water existing in places. Line eventually vanishes in filling for “Trading Estate” developments. Re-appears as vague trace with small hedge & FP running SW across open space from Rodbourne Road to Harcourt
105
Rd; at latter point a distinct hump probably representing site of old Br.; Line seems to disappear under site of largest gasholder (there was a lock here), w. no trace whatever of locks/cottages which once existed in vicinity. At some point further S (before reaching Rly) line merges into the “Cycle Track” – a made-up paved path running between boundary walls of Rly Works - & continues to Station Rd (S/don), Crossing Stn. Rd., line site is occupied by a fenced-in builder’s storage yard (J Webb), with FP alongside, for abt. 150 yd, then crosses Fleet St. and via Car Park Entrance to Junction (now Car Park site). [* (27.8.62: Rems. of M/don top lock found, inside P.Sta. gate to S; Bot. Lk. Site just inside gates (see Sk.Map page 108)
site of bottom lock just inside gates at A. Small hedged enclosure at B may have been lock cottage site. No trace to be seen. Top lock is filled w. earth, &c, and a hard track runs on S line; but parapet of E wall just left visible & some masonry]
105 Rd; at latter point a distinct hump probably representing site of old Br.; Line seems to disappear under site of largest gasholder (there was a lock here), w. no trace whatever of locks/cottages which once existed in vicinity. At some point further S (before reaching Rly) line merges into the “Cycle Track” – a made-up paved path running between boundary walls of Rly Works - & continues to Station Rd (S/don), Crossing Stn. Rd., line site is occupied by a fenced-in builder’s storage yard (J Webb), with FP alongside, for abt. 150 yd, then crosses Fleet St. and via Car Park Entrance to Junction (now Car Park site). [* (27.8.62: Rems. of M/don top lock found, inside P.Sta. gate to S; Bot. Lk. Site just inside gates (see Sk.Map page 108) site of bottom lock just inside gates at A. Small hedged enclosure at B may have been lock cottage site. No trace to be seen. Top lock is filled w. earth, &c, and a hard track runs on S line; but parapet of E wall just left visible & some masonry]
106
Special Notes &c on Section V (based on 1961-1962 observations: June 62)
1. Traceability. Generally fairly good away from built-up districts. Swindon portions (q.v.) obliterated; but owing to use as public right-of-way, it can be followed fairly easily. Line accessible at most crossings elsewhere.
2. Condition. Not excessively over-grown between S/don and Cricklade; rather more so towards Latton. V. good in Moredon Hill area s of Power Station.
3. Characteristics: Locking tended to concentrate in groups, viz. Swindon & Moredon, with single locks well spaced-out between these places. Fall to Latton. Heavy shelf-and-bank work round S side Moulden Hill; deep approach cutting to S. ent. C/lade Tl; otherwise most construction seems to have been relatively easy (c.f. cost less than estimate! Vide Canals of Southern England pp 158-160), also see Nos. 4: 5 : 17 re Tunnel & Ray
106 Special Notes &c on Section V (based on 1961-1962 observations: June 62) 1. Traceability. Generally fairly good away from built-up districts. Swindon portions (q.v.) obliterated; but owing to use as public right-of-way, it can be followed fairly easily. Line accessible at most crossings elsewhere. 2. Condition. Not excessively over-grown between S/don and Cricklade; rather more so towards Latton. V. good in Moredon Hill area s of Power Station. 3. Characteristics: Locking tended to concentrate in groups, viz. Swindon & Moredon, with single locks well spaced-out between these places. Fall to Latton. Heavy shelf-and-bank work round S side Moulden Hill; deep approach cutting to S. ent. C/lade Tl; otherwise most construction seems to have been relatively easy (c.f. cost less than estimate! Vide Canals of Southern England pp 158-160), also see Nos. 4: 5 : 17 re Tunnel & Ray