Talk:Folly Bridge

Confused about footbridge

The text of the article says:

A public footbridge was completed next to the road bridge in 2002 ...

but does not cite any source for this. The article also shows two side view photographs of Folly Bridge, one captioned from the west and the other from the east, and claimed to date from 2007 and 2005 respectively. Neither shows any sign of there being a footbridge next to the road bridge.

What gives?. -- Chris j wood (talk) 11:18, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Does this refer to the Oxford Footbridge which is next upstream? I don't know much about these footbridges which is why I have left them out of the otherwise complete series of crossings up to Lechlade. I was hoping JPB might come to the rescue. Regards Motmit (talk) 12:00, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure of the names, but from memory there are two footbridges upstream from Folly Bridge before you get to the current railway bridge. One is obviously an old railway bridge, reused as a footbridge, which I think is the further of the two away from Folly Bridge. The nearer is a lattice type construction, which I suspect is the one referred to as the Oxford Footbridge. But I've checked on Google Earth, and that is a good 300 yards upstream from Folly Bridge, which I'd hardly consider as being next to the road bridge. And whilst it is fairly new, I'm pretty sure it has been there longer than 5 or 6 years. Incidentally, Google Earth doesn't show any footbridges nearer, although I cannot tell how old the image is.

On the other hand I've found several sources from the architecural press/web, that are clearly talking about something literally alongside Folly Bridge. But strangely I can only find artists impressions rather than actual photographs. And like a lot of architectural writing, it is very unclear whether it is talking about a conceptual project, or something that actually got built. The mystery deepens. I think a site visit may be needed. -- Chris j wood (talk) 14:18, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

Strange. I'm pretty sure the bridge depicted at http://www.grimshaw-architects.com/grimshaw/print/projectdata.php?id=106 doesn't exist. I'm very unobservant if it does, as I've passed over the bridge hundreds of times in the last 6 years. I'd say the aerial photos on live search maps (works in Firefox and IE) are representative of the current situation. Not sure how e.g. Structurae.de got the idea it had been built (mind you, they also list the client as "Oxfordshire City Council"...). Casper Gutman (talk • contributions) 17:03, 24 January 2008 (UTC)

I believe this was a design that was not implemented and have updated the page accordingly, with a reference. Apologies for any misinformation previously. I'll check the situation next time I pass over the bridge, but the photographs look rather convincing! — Jonathan Bowen (talk) 23:25, 24 January 2008 (UTC)