History
In 1888, London and South Western Railway constructed a viaduct consisting of ten curved arches. [1] In 1893, another viaduct was built on its west side that created a triangle of routes, allowing incoming trains to travel west towards Poole bypassing Bournemouth West railway station. [1] The railway bridge crosses the River Bourne. [1] Underneath the bridge are Surrey Road and Gordon Road near Coy Pond and Bournemouth Gardens as the railway follows Bourne Valley Road towards Branksome. [2] The original bridge was closed in 1965 during the Beeching cuts. [3] On 27 March 1941, an Luftwaffe air raid in World War II hit the nearby canteen at Bourne Valley Gasworks killing 33 people. [4] It is believed that the viaducts had been the intended target. [5] Repairs of the brickwork were carried out in 1998 costing £50,000. [6]
In 2020, a lorry crashed into the bridge. [7] The low arches at Bourne Valley Road reportedly make accidents common. [8] In 2023, improvements to the bridge were carried out by BCP Council. [9] In November 2024, the Bournemouth Daily Echo reported that the Branksome East Viaduct was earmarked for demolition. [10] The viaduct is under structural threat according to the council, but its demolition is unlikely soon. [11] The disused bridge is set for demolition by 2035 because it is “life expired”. [12] A local community group intends to file an application for the listing of the viaduct and will develop an alternative plan to restore as a nature and heritage park. [13]
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