Pulteney Bridge, a historic structure spanning the River Avon in Bath, holds significant architectural and historical value. Its construction was completed in 1774 to facilitate the development of the Pulteney family's land and establish a connection with the city. Designed by the renowned architect Robert Adam in the Palladian style, the bridge stands out for its unique feature of having shops built across its entire span on both sides. This exceptional design led to its designation as a Grade I listed building.Within two decades of its completion, modifications were made to expand the shops and alter the facades. By the end of the 18th century, the bridge had suffered damage from floods, necessitating its reconstruction while maintaining a similar design. Over the following century, further alterations were made to the shops, including the addition of cantilevered extensions on the north face of the bridge. In the 20th century, various preservation initiatives were undertaken to restore the bridge and partially reinstate its original appearance, enhancing its appeal as a notable tourist attraction.Pulteney Bridge is one of only four bridges worldwide that feature shops along its entire span on both sides. The bridge's original drawings, meticulously crafted by Robert Adam, are preserved in the esteemed Sir John Soane's Museum in London.
Adjacent to Pulteney Bridge is Pulteney Weir, a crucial component of the Bath Flood Prevention Scheme. Historical records, such as the 1603 map of Bath by Savile, depict a weir on the River Avon to the east of the Abbey. The weir, running diagonally across the river, extended from the Abbey bank, where "The Monks Mill" was situated, to the opposite bank housing "Bathewick Mill." Its purpose was to create a difference in river level, known as a "head" of water, which drove the water wheels powering the mills. Flooding had long plagued the city of Bath, even requiring the Romans to raise the level of some of their bath complexes to mitigate the issue.This camera was installed and is maintained by the Environment Agency and can be viewed
here All content is available under the
Open Government Licence v3.0. In the early 1970s, the weir was reconstructed in its current "V" shape, accompanied by a flood control gate, or sluice, on the east side of the river. The Pulteney Weir and Sluice project, part of the Bath Flood Prevention Scheme, was inaugurated on June 2nd, 1972. The Bristol and Avon River Authority, under the guidance of engineer Frank Greenhalgh, spearheaded the design and execution of this vital undertaking.
