Redbridge, Southampton

Human settlement in England

Redbridge

Redbridge

Location within Southampton

Population| 14,432 [1]
Unitary authority|

* Southampton

Ceremonial county|

* Hampshire

Region|

* South East

Country| England
Sovereign state| United Kingdom
Post town| SOUTHAMPTON
Postcode district| SO15, SO16
Dialling code| 023
Police| Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Fire| Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Ambulance| South Central
UK Parliament|

* Southampton Test

List of places

England
Hampshire

50°55′11″N 1°28′25″W﻿ / ﻿50.91977°N 1.47358°W﻿ / 50.91977; -1.47358

Redbridge is a ward with a population of 14,432,[1] 3.1 miles (5.0 km) to the west of the city centre of Southampton, England. The settlement is positioned at the mouth of the River Test and is the southern terminus of the former Andover Canal and Sprat and Winkle railway line, and the modern M271 motorway.

Because of its strategic position, the settlement became a substantial trading post and shipbuilding centre, with many merchant and Royal Navy vessels being constructed in Redbridge in the 18th and 19th centuries.[citation needed]

Today, the area is mainly residential and industrial, with a large council estate and a tower block situated within the ward and Southampton Docks close by. The A35 road crosses the River Test at Redbridge, as does the South West Main Line railway. It has a small railway station.

## Etymology[edit]

Redbridge has been known by several names, all derived from its position as a crossing point over the River Test – originally as a ford and later with the bridge that gives the area its current name. Other than the type of crossing, the meaning of the name has not changed significantly, with the first syllable meaning "reed".[2] Previous names and spellings include:

Name  | Year  |

|
|

hreutford  | 730  | [2]
hreodford  | 890  | [2]
hreod brycge  | 956-10  | [2]
hreod bricge  | 1045-11  | [2]
Rodbrige  | 1086  | [2]
Redbrigge  | 1222  | [2]
Rudbrigge  | 1276  | [2]

## History[edit]

Much of Redbridge's history is linked to its position at the tidal part of the River Test and, later, as the terminus of the Andover Canal. The first bridge was constructed in Medieval times Just north of the ford located 1/2 mile up river from the Pack and Pass 5 Arch Bridge, The five arches was constructed in the early 1700s and was paid for by the merchants of Redbridge.[3]

The settlement was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as Rodbrige, within the Manebrige (possibly Mansbridge) Hundred in Hantscire (Hampshire).[2] In 1575 and 1607, it was shown on maps as a small hamlet, although in the latter it was shown as being within the "Redbridg Hundred".[2]

In 1610 William Camden described the village and its history to date thus:

> Thence glideeth this water streight into Anton Haven, at Arundinis Vadum, as Bede called it and interpreteth it himselfe Reedeford: but now of the bridge where the foord was named, for Redeford, Redbridge: where, at the first springing up of the English Saxon Church, there flourished a Monasterie, the Abbat whereof Cymbreth as Beda writeth, baptised the two brethren being very little ones of Arvandus the pety King of Wight, even as they were ready to be put to death.[2]

This indicates that a monastery and a church were already established in the hamlet of Redbridge. The location of the monastery is unknown but some accounts suggest it was located in what is now Eling or Nursling rather than the area known today as Redbridge.[4] Redbridge again appeared on maps in 1611 and 1645 as a small hamlet within the Redbridge Hundred.[2] The Ship Inn was built in 1654.[5] A further map in 1695 shows the hamlet as being within the Waltham hundred.[2]

The settlement was never a market town, but gained considerable status as a shipbuilding centre, for both merchant shipping and the Royal Navy. It was recorded in 1724 and again in 1738 that, along with Bursledon on the other side of Southampton, King William III's Navy built ships at Redbridge "besides [an] abundance of large merchant ships".[2]

The 1793 bridge (in the foreground) with the newer road bridge behind Redbridge Bridge – The old causeway from the south side at low tide.

Redbridge was again shown as a small hamlet on a 1788 map, back within a hundred named after Redbridge itself, although this time recorded as "Bedbridge Hundred".[2] In 1793, a second, single-span bridge was constructed at Redbridge, paid for by the county council,[3] allowing boats to pass through from Southampton Water to the Andover Canal, which opened the following year.[6]

By 1815 Redbridge was well established as a village,[2] albeit within the parish of Millbrook. Located on the tidal estuary of the River Test, and acting as the terminus of the Andover Canal, the village was a considerable trading post for commodities such as coal, timber and corn, as well as a centre for ship building.[2]

Work began on converting the Andover Canal to a railway, which was to become known as the Sprat and Winkle Line, in 1859. The line opened in 1865, with a new course being laid twenty years later.[7] This meant that a level-crossing was installed in front of the Anchor public house so that carts and later motor cars could cross the railway line. In 1930 the bypass and bridge were completed which took 4 years at a cost of £100.000. Another carriageway was added to the 'flyover' over the River Test parallel to the main line railway in the 1970s.

The M271 motorway was opened in 1975;[8] the motorway terminates at the Redbridge Roundabout, where it meets the dual carriageway A35 trunk road. It is these transport structures, together with industrial and high density residential developments, that dominate Redbridge today.

## Governance[edit]

Southampton Test constituency shown within Hampshire

Falling within the boundaries of the City of Southampton, which is a unitary authority, there is only one tier of local government covering Redbridge. Three of the 48 councillors on Southampton City Council are elected for the Redbridge ward.[9] As at June 2015, one of Redbridge's councillors is an Independent (Andrew Pope) and two (Catherine McEwing and Lee Whitbread) represent the Labour Party.[9]

On a national level Redbridge is part of the Southampton Test parliamentary constituency. This seat is currently held by Alan Whitehead, also of the Labour Party. Prior to Brexit in 2020, it was represented by the South East England constituency for the European Union parliament.

## Demography[edit]

Demographics at a glance

2001 census | Redbridge Ward | Southampton | England
Total population | 14,432 | 217,445 | 49,138,831
Christian | 69.9% | 65.6% | 71.7%
Muslim | 0.6% | 1.9% | 3.1%
Hindu | 0.2% | 0.7% | 1.1%
Sikh | 0.2% | 1.3% | 0.7%
No religion | 19.7% | 21.6% | 14.6%

At the 2001 census, Redbridge ward had a population of 14,432,[1] and a population density of 36.03 persons per hectare.[10]

## Transport[edit]

Redbridge is served by Redbridge railway station which offers hourly services into Southampton City Centre, Eastleigh, Romsey, Salisbury and Chandlers Ford. The area is also served by a number of bus routes, predominately Bluestar. The area is easily accessible by car with M271 motorway and A35 road both running through Redbridge.

## Education[edit]

Schools in the area include Redbridge Primary School in Redbridge Road, which has a capacity of 803.[11][12] and Redbridge Community School which is a specialist sports college in Cuckmere Lane with a capacity of 1,050,[13][14]

## Redbridge Wharf Park[edit]

Redbridge Wharf Park (grid reference SU371135) is a park overlooking the tidal reaches of the River Test. It was formerly an area of railway sidings. It consists of grassy areas, areas of bushes and a pathway which leads to a riverside walk. There is only one access point – across a footbridge from Redbridge railway station.

## MP3 Project[edit]

A sports pavilion and community centre was opened in Mansel Park on 18 March 2008. The Mansel Park Pavilion (MP3) project was funded by direct government grant (via SEEDA and Sport England) with additional funding provided by the City Council. The new pavilion houses the Golden Ring Boxing Club, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Youth Options, and Millbrook Towers & District Community Association. The three groups worked closely with the city council and local residents to develop the proposals and secure funding. Together they formed the Mansel Park Pavilion project group to champion the project, overseeing its development from drawing board to completion, and the future management of the facility.[15] The building is now managed by Hampshire Youth Options.[16]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Key Figures for 2001 Census: Census Area Statistics". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Old Hampshire Gazetteer, Redbridge, Southampton". Retrieved 16 November 2007.
3. ^ a b "Redbridge – PortCities Southampton". Plimsoll. Archived from the original on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 16 November 2007.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. ^ Cruttwell, Clement (1801). A tour through the whole island of Great Britain, Volume 2. G. & J. Robinson. p. 185.
5. ^ Thompson, Paula (20 April 2007). "The Ship Inn, Redbridge". SceneSouth. Newsquest. Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
6. ^ Andover Town Central (2000–2006). The Andover Canal Archived 6 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
7. ^ "The history of the railway companies of Hampshire". Hampshire County Council. Archived from the original on 10 May 2009. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
8. ^ The Motorway Archive – M27 Dates Page Archived 11 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
9. ^ a b "Your Councillors". Southampton City Council. Retrieved 9 June 2015.
10. ^ "Population Density (UV02)". Office for National Statistics. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
11. ^ "Redbridge Primary School". Redbridge Primary School. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
12. ^ "Redbridge Community School". Gov.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
13. ^ "Redbridge Community School". Redbridge Community School. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
14. ^ "Redbridge Community School". Gov.uk. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
15. ^ "Iwan Thomas launches MP3 community pavilion". Archived from the original on 23 February 2012.
16. ^ "MP3 Centre". Youthoptions.co.uk. Archived from the original on 24 March 2013. Retrieved 23 May 2012.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Redbridge, Southampton.

* 1690s map of Redbridge Hundred
* 1855 engraving of Redbridge[usurped]

* v
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Areas and suburbs of Southampton

* City of Southampton electoral wards (and their neighbourhoods) listed by constituency — sources: 1 2

Southampton Itchen|

Bargate Ward
City Centre
Holyrood estate
Ocean Village
The Polygon
St Mary's
Bitterne Ward
Bitterne
Thornhill
Bitterne Park Ward
Bitterne Park
Bitterne Manor
Midanbury
Townhill Park
Harefield Ward
Harefield
Peartree Ward
Peartree Green
Sholing Ward
Sholing
Woolston Ward
Itchen Ferry village
Woolston
Weston

Southampton Test|

Bevois Ward
Bevois Valley
Inner Avenue
Nicholstown
Northam
Coxford Ward
Lordshill
Lordswood
Freemantle Ward
Freemantle
Millbrook Ward
Millbrook
Regents Park
Portswood Ward
Portswood
Highfield
St Denys
Redbridge Ward
Redbridge
Maybush
Shirley Ward
Shirley
Southampton Common

Romsey and Southampton North|

Bassett Ward
Bassett
Bassett Green
Swaythling Ward
Swaythling
Mansbridge

Map

City Centre

Bassett

Bassett Green

Bevois Valley

Bitterne

Bitterne Park

Bitterne Manor

Freemantle

Harefield

Highfield

Lordshill

Lordswood

Mansbridge

Maybush

Midanbury

Millbrook

Nicholstown

Northam

Ocean Village

Peartree Green

Polygon

Portswood

Redbridge

Regents Park

Shirley

St Denys

St Mary's

Sholing

Swaythling

Thornhill

Townhill Park

Woolston

Weston

class=notpageimage|

Suburbs of Southampton within the city boundary

* Areas of Greater Southampton outside the City boundary include:

* Allbrook
* Ashurst
* Bishopstoke
* Botley
* Bursledon
* Chandler's Ford
* Chartwell Green
* Chilworth
* Fair Oak
* Hamble-le-Rice
* Hedge End
* Horton Heath
* Hound
* Netley
* Netley Marsh
* Nursling
* Rownhams
* Eastleigh
* Totton
* West End

* v
* t
* e

Buildings and structures in Southampton

Grade I listed|

* Bargate
* Canute's Palace
* The Cenotaph
* King John's Palace
* Medieval Merchant's House
* St Julien's Church
* St Mary's Church, South Stoneham
* St Michael's Church
* Town Walls
* Tudor House and Garden
* The Wool House

Religious buildings|

* 286 (Swaythling Methodist Church)
* Avenue St. Andrew's Church
* Central Baptist Church
* Christ Church, Freemantle
* Conduit House
* Highfield Church
* Holyrood Church
* Jesus Chapel
* St. Alban's Church
* St Denys Priory
* St Edmund's Church
* St Joseph's Church
* St James' Church, Shirley
* St Mary's Church
* St Michael and All Angels Church

Transport and bridges|

* Bitterne railway station
* Cobden Bridge
* Itchen Bridge
* Mans Bridge
* Millbrook railway station
* Northam Bridge
* Redbridge Bridge
* Redbridge railway station
* Sholing railway station
* Southampton Central railway station
* Southampton Terminus railway station
* St Denys railway station
* Swaythling railway station
* Woolston railway station

Schools and colleges|

* Bitterne Park School
* Cantell School
* King Edward VI School
* Oasis Academy Lord's Hill
* Oasis Academy Mayfield
* Redbridge Community School
* Regents Park Community College
* Sholing Technology College
* St Anne's Catholic School
* Saint George Catholic College
* St Mark's CE School
* Upper Shirley High School
* Weston Secondary School
* Woodlands Community College

Other|

* Carlton Place drill hall
* God's House Hospital
* Southampton Castle
* Civic Centre (SeaCity Museum, Southampton City Art Gallery, Southampton Guildhall)
* South Stoneham House
* Old Cemetery
* Ordnance Survey buildings
* Peartree House
* Royal South Hants Hospital
* Titanic Engineers' Memorial
* Townhill Park House
* Wyndham Court
* God's House Tower
* Hollybrook Cemetery
* King George V Graving Dock
* Carnival House
* Centenary Quay
* Ford Southampton plant
* Marlands Shopping Centre
* National Oceanography Centre
* Ocean Village
* Solent Sky aviation museum
* South Stoneham Cemetery
* Southampton Courts of Justice
* Southampton General Hospital
* St Mary's Stadium
* Titanic Musicians' Memorial
* Westquay

Pubs and recreation|

* Dolphin Hotel
* The Hobbit
* The Joiners
* Southampton Old Bowling Green
* The Old Farm House
* Red Lion Inn
* Mayflower Theatre

Demolished|

* All Saints' Church
* Antelope Ground
* County Ground
* Day's Itchen Ground
* The Dell
* Northam railway station
* Southampton Power Station
* Television Centre
* Theatre Royal

* Category
* Listed buildings

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