2832448 Part of the Floating Harbour between Ropewalk and Canon’s Marsh, showing St Mary Redcliffe and the back of the New Gaol, 1822 (pencil & w/c on paper) by O’Neill, Hugh (1784-1824); Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, UK; Bequest of William Jerdone Braikenridge, 1908; British, out of copyright.Redcliffe BackMidland Railway (Avon) Wharf 1898This Ordnance Survey Map of 1884 shows the Midland Railway Wharf called Albert QuayRedcliffe Back 1935 -Reece Winston
PBA688 Western Counties Mill, Redcliff Back. sailing ship & barge Garibaldi’. Redcliffe Bridge yet to be built.
Redcliffe Bridge
There was no bridge between Prince Street and Bristol Bridge up until 1942 but this stretch of the floating harbour was served by two ferries:
Redcliffe Backs Ferry – c1928 – Reece Winston
Redcliffe Backs Ferry operated from 1794 until 1930.
Prior to the building of Redcliffe Bridge there had also been a Grove to Guinea Street ferry from 1882.
Redcliffe Bascule Bridge was built from 1938 before formally opening in 1942 .
Redcliffe Bridge commences building on the Redcliffe sideRedcliffe Bridge being built looking towards The GroveRedcliffe Bridge under constructionRedcliffe Bridge nearing completionRedcliffe Bridge ready for useRedcliffe Bridge Plaque 1942George Poppleton
George Frederick Poppleton (1910 to 1953) was appointed to the City Engineers Department in Bristol City Council probably in 1937. He was appointed Resident Engineer on the planning and construction of Redcliffe Bridge which began in 1938/39 due to his experience of bridge building especially bascule bridges.
After the War George was involved in the upkeep and maintenance of Redcliffe Bridge. Richard, his son, recalls visiting the Bridge control room and watching it being raised and lowered and going down into the ‘engine room’ and to see how it all worked.
Information provided by his sons Alan and Richard Poppleton
Redcliffe Bridge Circa 1950
PBA1600 Camerton (Sandsucker) passing Bascule Bridge at Redcliffe Way 1952Redcliffe Bridge 1955
Sand Dredger Camerton at Redcliffe Bridge 1972
Redcliffe Bridge open for the MatthewPBAN4123 PBA fleet – grab dredger BD7 and mudhopper. Bristol Sand & Gravel suction dredger “Camerton” at berth in background.Redcliffe 1973 – Reece WinstoneCrane Redcliff Quay-1979
Redcliffe Back -1935 -R Winston
Redcliffe Back 1937PBAX2424 1968 View of St Mary Redcliffe Church from roof of WCA Mill on Redcliff Back, in the process of being demolished. At far right is William Watts’s old shot tower on Redcliffe Hill, also demolished in 1968.Redcliffe Back c1960Redcliffe Backs 1975 – Reece WinstoneRedcliffe Wharf and Redcliffe Bridge 1978 (In: Lord, J. Southam, J. 1983, p.17).Redcliffe Quay 2018Redcliffe Wharf 2017Redcliffe Bridge from Redcliffe Wharf 2017Redcliffe Bridge 2019Church of St Thomas the Martyr from Redcliff Back 19 Aug 21Redcliffe Wharf 19 Aug 21
