I was walking along the canal and spotted this strangely placed footbridge. The building it connects to is now a substation. I can’t find any information on what it was before and why it has its own dedicated bridge.

Thought I’d ask here before going into the local library to ask. I’ve become a little bit obsessed with this topic so any information would be greatly appreciated.

by MedsDeaf

4 comments

  1. Here’s an article about 2a and 2b Clarendon Crescent, (2b was the storefront where the bridge formerly terminated): https://londonrail.uk/historical/the-shop-at-paddington-that-was-never-there/

    As to what it is today, the OpenStreetMap label seems most likely to me – it’s a cable bridge which brings high voltage cables over the canal and down into the National Grid conduits which run under the tow path (if you’ve ever been along here after it’s snowed, the tow path is always clear because of the heat from the cables).

    Looking at the last photo in the article, the angle of this construction looks to me like a cable run heading down into the ground: https://imgur.com/a/Kwb8pQe

    Based on the fact that the original terminating point of the bridge was a shopfront (seemingly with flats above) rather than say a service/delivery entrance for the substation, my best guess is that this was always a cable bridge and the OS map label was incorrect.

  2. Although the OS map says FB (foot bridge?) it looks more like a pipe bridge or cable bridge.   That means it just contains cables (or pipework) Lots of the towpath has high voltage (national grid) electricity cables under it, so it makes sense they would need a route to a substation.

  3. TThe otherside of the canal is an electrical substation (amberly Road, W9). I know this area VERY well.

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