In January 2020, a step on the Oxford Road side of Wokingham Railway Footbridge collapsed without warning, closing that side immediately. No injuries, but a reminder that “Grade II listed” doesn’t mean indestructible.
Built in 1886 after two fatal accidents at the old level crossing, the bridge is a rare Victorian upcycle, made from recycled iron rails and timber sleepers. Its bowstring girder arch flows into the stairs, saving money and headaches.
Now Grade II listed and likely the only one left in the UK, it even sports a Blue Plaque—old bridges get more fame than some locals.
Closed for repairs in late 2020 and reopened mid-2021, work fixed rusty ironwork, replaced stair treads, and gave it a fresh coat of paint. The cost was part of a £6 million station upgrade. Naturally, the repairs added to local misery, as Wokingham’s overwhelmed roads and facilities coped with more construction and delays.
No original blueprints survive, suggesting it was designed on-site, a “just get on with it” Victorian job before health and safety existed.
Though a modern footbridge sits inside the station, the historic bridge remains open 24/7 without ticket barriers, offering a quicker route between Station Road and the town centre.
Why wouldn’t anyone build this today? It fails almost every modern safety rule: steep stairs, no ramps or lifts. It wouldn’t pass accessibility laws. Reusing old rails and sleepers without testing? Not allowed. Modern bridges need certified materials, detailed plans, and gigs of CAD files.
No plans means it was probably designed on the fly. Today’s bridges require more committee approvals than you can count.
It also fails clearance, load, weatherproofing, and evacuation codes. Built for pedestrians only, it lacks anything for cyclists, proving bike-friendliness wasn’t quite Dutch-level common-sense priority for England’s officials and planners back then either. Replicating its unique parts would be expensive and nearly impossible to insure, unless your insurer enjoys thrills.
In short, Wokingham Railway Footbridge is a charming Victorian oddity surviving on heritage, not engineering merit. Sometimes “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” really means “good luck building this again.”