George Bridge Syphon

Uncovering of the syphon during repairs to the bridge

During repairs to George Bridge in October 2004. an inverted syphon was uncovered which had not been known about previously. It would appear to be related to the water meadows to the south and runs underneath the River Kennet. It is not clear what its purpose was other than to use spring water. Either it may have been using spring water, instead of River water, to flood the water meadows for a particular reason or by using spring water there was still sufficient water in the River Kennet to supply the village of West Overton.

The entrance to the tunnel beneath the River Kennet

Only one other inverted syphon is known off in the County associated with water meadows and that is one near Churchfields Farm on the Harnham water meadows in Salisbury. Although this syphon has now gone it was apparently one of a number constructed in the 19th century to carry water above or below carriages (bringing water to the meadows) and drains (taking water away from the meadows).

The Tunnel

The syphon was reported to the County Archaeology Service by the engineers on site who also took the photographs inside the tunnel. It was arranged for the site to be recorded, and current research suggests that it was constructed in the 18th Century. The syphon has now been capped over with concrete, but it will still be possible for engineers to inspect the it in the future.