BASINGSTOKE CANAL PHOTO GUIDE

EELMOOR - NORRIS HILL BRIDGE

Eelmoor Bailey Bridge

By Eelmoor Flash

Above: Looking back towards Eelmoor bridge. The bridge is similar to the one at Claycart - in fact they were both erected at the same time and both are owned by the army. The canal is very exposed on this stretch, the simple reason being that there are no trees because these obstruct the approach to the airport. The army shorn this stretch just a couple of years ago and it is taking some time for the foilage to recover. This stretch of canal became associated with the airborne exploits of Colonel Cody, who tested some of his aeroplanes from nearby Farnborough Common (now Farnborough Airport/Royal Aerospace establishment.) Eelmoor Flash is one of the more exceptional sites on the canal for its wildlife and fauna content. In the autumn the colours are fantastic as the foilage turns various shades of colour from brown to red to copper, especially in the wooded stretches such as around Norris Hill, Fleet, and Dogmersfield.

Norris Hill Bridges. Two modern bridges cross the canal here. The nearest one is the older modern one and the further the newer one, built when the roads were expanded and separate carriageways built. It is said that one can see the remains of the old Norris Hill bridge, but all I could find was this bit of brickwork underneath the older modern bridge. The original bridge stood here underneath the first new road bridge, because the council were not allowed to demolish the structure. However in August 1979, the original bridge suddenly collapsed of its own accord and the said deed had been done.

Remains of the original Norris Hill bridge

BASINGSTOKE CANAL PHOTO GUIDE:

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