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| HER Number | MWB20283 |
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| Record Type | Monument |
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| Name | New Hill overbridge, Purley |
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Summary
Unlisted early 21st century overbridge over former Great Western Railway line, incorporating 19th century brick abutment bases
Monument Type(s):
Full Description
A bridge at this location was built of brick as part of the Great Western Railway in 1837-40, but the modern bridge dates from the early 21st century: the deck is of concrete beam construction, though the brick abutment bases have been retained <1>.
A survey and photographic record of New Hill Overbridge was conducted prior to works to partially demolish and reconstruct the existing bridge <2>. The bridge forms part of the original Great Western Railway main line and represents a relatively early development in the history of Britain's railway system. New Hill Overbridge is believed to date back to circa 1840 around the time that the line between Reading and Steventon was constructed. It was originally designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel or his engineers. The bridge was extended circa 1891 to accommodate a widened GWR railway line <2>.
Sources and further reading
| <01> | Alan Baxter & Associates LLP. 2012. Great Western Main Line Route Structures Gazetteer. WBC Network. MLN1 3947. [Unpublished document / SWB148447]
https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/gwml-gazetteer/ (Accessed 21/12/2015) |
| <02> | Network Rail. 2012. New Hill Overbridge, Purley on Thames - Partial Demolition of Existing Overbridge and Reconstruction. Archaeological Record. Network Rail ref TCP10/006. [Unpublished document / SWB148484] |
Related Monuments
| MWB6024 | GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY - General record within West Berkshire (Monument) |
| MWB6044 | TILEHURST TO PANGBOURNE STATION RAILWAY LINE (Monument) |
Associated Excavations and Fieldwork
| EWB1265 | History and Significance of the Great Western Main Line |
| EWB1305 | New Hill Overbridge, Purley on Thames - Partial Demolition of Existing Overbridge and Reconstruction. Archaeological Record (Ref: Network Rail ref TCP10/006) |
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