111
2. B4041 Crossing (Wootton Bassett) SU070817.
Visited 14.9.59, 1.9.62.
Access: road.
Photograph Nos. 231, 525.
Observations: Bridge levelled, filled & railed. Line E abt. 20 yd. Vague depression in land, hen obliterated by row of back gardens. Line W better – about 50 yd filled as garden beside Inn, then onward bet. Hedge growth, etc. Some water seen in this. Characteristic small Inn (“Bridge”) on L. bank to NW of Br., P 1959, but 1962 some renovations apparent.
111 2. B4041 Crossing (Wootton Bassett) SU070817. Visited 14.9.59, 1.9.62. Access: road. Photograph Nos. 231, 525. Observations: Bridge levelled, filled & railed. Line E abt. 20 yd. Vague depression in land, hen obliterated by row of back gardens. Line W better – about 50 yd filled as garden beside Inn, then onward bet. Hedge growth, etc. Some water seen in this. Characteristic small Inn (“Bridge”) on L. bank to NW of Br., P 1959, but 1962 some renovations apparent.
112
3. Dunnington Fm. Crossing & Locks. SU064-7:815.
Visited 1.9.62.
Access FP from W.B.Stn. Yard.
Photograph Nos. 526, 527, 528, 533, 534, 529.
Observations: (a) Top lock not overgrown; no masonry, but shape & fall of lock clearly visible, 2 main bottom gate posts remain. Line E. clear back to hedges (see 2) w. shallow water & aquatic plants. (b) Crossing (1887 TRICKLES BR.) filled & humped: line v. clear but dry w. hedges to W. Good original lock cottage to N.E. Of crossing. (c) Bottom Lock v. overgrown, but 2 lock gate posts seen among growth,with masonry fragments about. Line fairly clear to W. From (a) to (c) and on to 4, line embanked 4' – 6' above fields.
112 3. Dunnington Fm. Crossing & Locks. SU064-7:815. Visited 1.9.62. Access FP from W.B.Stn. Yard. Photograph Nos. 526, 527, 528, 533, 534, 529. Observations: (a) Top lock not overgrown; no masonry, but shape & fall of lock clearly visible, 2 main bottom gate posts remain. Line E. clear back to hedges (see 2) w. shallow water & aquatic plants. (b) Crossing (1887 TRICKLES BR.) filled & humped: line v. clear but dry w. hedges to W. Good original lock cottage to N.E. Of crossing. (c) Bottom Lock v. overgrown, but 2 lock gate posts seen among growth,with masonry fragments about. Line fairly clear to W. From (a) to (c) and on to 4, line embanked 4' – 6' above fields.
113
4. Dunnington Aqueduct. SU063815.
Visited 1.9.62.
Access: from (3) along line W.
Photograph Nos. 530, 351, 532.
Observations: fine single arch over brook; brick const; v. deep curved wing walls. C. line abt 30' above stream; v. overgrown both sides. Large & impressive embankment works either side of crossing – poss. Biggest single engineering work on whole line.
113 4. Dunnington Aqueduct. SU063815. Visited 1.9.62. Access: from (3) along line W. Photograph Nos. 530, 351, 532. Observations: fine single arch over brook; brick const; v. deep curved wing walls. C. line abt 30' above stream; v. overgrown both sides. Large & impressive embankment works either side of crossing – poss. Biggest single engineering work on whole line.
114
5. Road Crossing (Greenhill Comm. Fm.) SU057815.
Visited 1.9.62, 27.4.63, 16.5.65.
Access: off A420.
Photograph Nos. 535.
Observations: Crossing filled & levelled; was prob. Brick Br, abt 15' above line at this point. Line E. v. open to (4) & a little water; line W. fairly clear, running in fairly deep cutting over-shadowed by trees. [NB. Material from this may have gone to (4)]. (16.5.65) abt. 100 yd of line E. filled to road level. Traces of brickwork visible at W. side of road.
114 5. Road Crossing (Greenhill Comm. Fm.) SU057815. Visited 1.9.62, 27.4.63, 16.5.65. Access: off A420. Photograph Nos. 535. Observations: Crossing filled & levelled; was prob. Brick Br, abt 15' above line at this point. Line E. v. open to (4) & a little water; line W. fairly clear, running in fairly deep cutting over-shadowed by trees. [NB. Material from this may have gone to (4)]. (16.5.65) abt. 100 yd of line E. filled to road level. Traces of brickwork visible at W. side of road.
115
6. A420: Vastern Br. & Wharf, SU053816 [ A420 much later renamed as ‘A3102’] ;
Visited: 16.5.65; 20.5.65;
Access: off A420;
Photograph Nos.: 636, 637, 638, 647;
Observations: Was probably slightly skewed Br., on gradient rising EW, line abt 25’ down: visible in deep cutting to E, but overgrown &c to W. Wharf area now timber yd; some tradition of a sawmill on site for many years. Probable wharf-ho is named “Brindley House”, but attributions can be doubtful. Small warehouse or similar type bldg., on N side, another adjacent now demolished. Cottages derive from sawmill labour probably.
115 6. A420: Vastern Br. & Wharf, SU053816 [ A420 much later renamed as ‘A3102’] ; Visited: 16.5.65; 20.5.65; Access: off A420; Photograph Nos.: 636, 637, 638, 647; Observations: Was probably slightly skewed Br., on gradient rising EW, line abt 25’ down: visible in deep cutting to E, but overgrown &c to W. Wharf area now timber yd; some tradition of a sawmill on site for many years. Probable wharf-ho is named “Brindley House”, but attributions can be doubtful. Small warehouse or similar type bldg., on N side, another adjacent now demolished. Cottages derive from sawmill labour probably.
116
1. Brindley House
2. Stable bldg in garden of (1)
3. Reputed canelside pub. (older part V.W.)
4. Small w/house type bldg.
5. Site of demolished bldg.
6. Cottages.
7. Sawmill & timber yard &c.
* this road is dangerous to leave a car on.
116 1. Brindley House 2. Stable bldg in garden of (1) 3. Reputed canelside pub. (older part V.W.) 4. Small w/house type bldg. 5. Site of demolished bldg. 6. Cottages. 7. Sawmill & timber yard &c. * this road is dangerous to leave a car on.
117
8. Tockenham Bridge, SU035814;
Visited: 16.5.65;
Access: off A420 to minor road;
Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: hump in lane, w. (illegible) sides, but Br. filled. Channel E. defined by hedges, more open on W; line of well-grown trees on S. side – contains a little water, much reedy growth.
117 8. Tockenham Bridge, SU035814; Visited: 16.5.65; Access: off A420 to minor road; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: hump in lane, w. (illegible) sides, but Br. filled. Channel E. defined by hedges, more open on W; line of well-grown trees on S. side – contains a little water, much reedy growth.
118
9. Trow Lane Bridge, SU028811;
Visited: 16.5.65;
Access: off A420, minor road;
Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: Crossing filled & railed off; line fairly clear to E, and better to W. Contains running water, small adjacent stream has broken in; this cd. Be old feeder from reservoir.
(Reservoir not visited because of extremely difficult access).
118 9. Trow Lane Bridge, SU028811; Visited: 16.5.65; Access: off A420, minor road; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: Crossing filled & railed off; line fairly clear to E, and better to W. Contains running water, small adjacent stream has broken in; this cd. Be old feeder from reservoir. (Reservoir not visited because of extremely difficult access).
119
10. Sevenlocks. SU024811;
Visited *19.8.54; 14.9.59; 16.5.65;
Access: from 9;
Photograph Nos.: - ;
Observations: Pit of top lock can be seen beside field gate – others demolished. Fairly large lock cottage, now (16/5) improved & modernised, old stable bldgs. &c remain, line down to (11) is very indistinct & overgrown.
* Informed by old man living in cottage at head of flight, that locks were blown up be the Royal Engineers as practice in demolition during 1939-45 War.)
119 10. Sevenlocks. SU024811; Visited *19.8.54; 14.9.59; 16.5.65; Access: from 9; Photograph Nos.: - ; Observations: Pit of top lock can be seen beside field gate – others demolished. Fairly large lock cottage, now (16/5) improved & modernised, old stable bldgs. &c remain, line down to (11) is very indistinct & overgrown. * Informed by old man living in cottage at head of flight, that locks were blown up be the Royal Engineers as practice in demolition during 1939-45 War.)
120
11. Bowd’s Bridge, SU020807;
Visited: 19/8.54; 14.9.59; 16.5.65;
Access: from 10, or off A420 (minor rd);
Photograph Nos. - ;
Observations: when 1st seen, one post for lower gates of No. 6 Lock remained; (16/5) lock pit filled in by course of time, &c; only site is known. Br. gone, road hump; line above lock open for short way, “winding hole” clearly visible; line W
cd. be followed some distance, TP not too overgrown.
120 11. Bowd’s Bridge, SU020807; Visited: 19/8.54; 14.9.59; 16.5.65; Access: from 10, or off A420 (minor rd); Photograph Nos. - ; Observations: when 1st seen, one post for lower gates of No. 6 Lock remained; (16/5) lock pit filled in by course of time, &c; only site is known. Br. gone, road hump; line above lock open for short way, “winding hole” clearly visible; line W cd. be followed some distance, TP not too overgrown.
121
12. Dauntsey Lock, ST995803;
Visited: 19.8.54; 18.5.65; 21.5 65;
Access: A420 [A420 much later renamed ‘B4069’];
Photograph Nos.: 825, 626, 639, 640;
Observations: Line E of lock, open for some distance. Lock pit by road overgrown but visible, lower gates partially remain. Wharf / lock house flanked by 2 smaller bldgs. Br. filled & culverted, grass slop on W. side; line very open. House (old pub) built in SW corner w. acute-angle wall. Wharf now covered by garage bldg. Winding hole above.
121 12. Dauntsey Lock, ST995803; Visited: 19.8.54; 18.5.65; 21.5 65; Access: A420 [A420 much later renamed ‘B4069’]; Photograph Nos.: 825, 626, 639, 640; Observations: Line E of lock, open for some distance. Lock pit by road overgrown but visible, lower gates partially remain. Wharf / lock house flanked by 2 smaller bldgs. Br. filled & culverted, grass slop on W. side; line very open. House (old pub) built in SW corner w. acute-angle wall. Wharf now covered by garage bldg. Winding hole above.
122
13. Occ. Crossing (Brights Farm), ST985796;
not visited, 26.8.69.
122 13. Occ. Crossing (Brights Farm), ST985796; not visited, 26.8.69.
123
14. Woodcommon Lock, ST981789;
not visited, 26.8.69.
123 14. Woodcommon Lock, ST981789; not visited, 26.8.69.
124
15. Foxham Bridge & Locks, ST982773;
Visited: 18.6.65;
Access: off A420 (minor rds);
Photograph Nos: 627, 628;
Observations: Road crossing humped but Br. filled, line fairly open S; V good remains of lock chambers (2); no gates, &c., except lower in top lock. Latter has fairly new br, across tail.
a number of cottages round about.
to? for lock keeper's.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
124
15. Foxham Bridge & Locks, ST982773;
Visited: 18.6.65;
Access: off A420 (minor rds);
Photograph Nos: 627, 628;
Observations: Road crossing humped but Br. filled, line fairly open S; V good remains of lock chambers (2); no gates, &c., except lower in top lock. Latter has fairly new br, across tail.
a number of cottages round about.
to? for lock keeper's.
C.E. Faulkner Field Excursions 1958-66
125
16. Charlcutt Hill Bridge, ST978756;
Visited: 18.5.65;
Access: minor road from Foxham;
Observations: humped crossing, filled & culverted; line N fairly open, with winding hole above Br. Line to S very good; abt 400 yd open water ( [illegible], enough for punt or pram), reed fringed but channel clear; ends S in dam & dense undergrowth.
–Probably because someone needs cattle water, the above is undoubtedly the best preserved section over whole line, apart from section W of Swindon, 28/5/65.
125 16. Charlcutt Hill Bridge, ST978756; Visited: 18.5.65; Access: minor road from Foxham; Observations: humped crossing, filled & culverted; line N fairly open, with winding hole above Br. Line to S very good; abt 400 yd open water ( [illegible], enough for punt or pram), reed fringed but channel clear; ends S in dam & dense undergrowth. –Probably because someone needs cattle water, the above is undoubtedly the best preserved section over whole line, apart from section W of Swindon, 28/5/65.