Redbridge, Southampton
Encyclopedia
Redbridge is a ward
with a population of 14,432, 3.1 miles (5 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
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 Western Main Line
railway. It has a small railway station
.
- 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
". Previous names and spellings include:
and, later, as the terminus of the Andover Canal
. The first bridge was constructed in Medieval times, and has five arches.
The settlement was mentioned in the Domesday Book
of 1086 as Rodbrige, within the Manebrige (possibly Mansbridge
) Hundred in Hantscire (Hampshire
). 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".
In 1610 William Camden
described the village and its history to date thus:
This indicates that a monastery and a church were already established in the hamlet of Redbridge. Redbridge again appeared on maps in 1611 and 1645 as a small hamlet within the Redbridge Hundred. The Ship Inn was built in 1654. A further map in 1695 shows the hamlet as being within the Waltham hundred.
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".
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". In 1793, a second, single-span bridge was constructed at Redbridge, paid for by the county council, allowing boats to pass through from Southampton Water
to the Andover Canal
, which opened the following year.
By 1815 Redbridge was well established as a village, albeit within the parish
of Millbrook. Located at the mouth 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.
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.
The M271 motorway
was opened in 1975; the motorway terminates at the Redbridge Roundabout, where it meets the dual carriageway A35 trunk road
. The main carriageway of the A35 passes over the roundabout on a large overpass
, and to the west crosses the River Test
on a large causeway, parallel to the main line railway
. It is these transport structures, together with industrial and high density residential developments, that dominate Redbridge today.
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. At present, two of these - Cathie McEwing and Peter Marsh-Jenks - represent the Labour Party
. The Conservatives have the third seat- represented by Paul Holmes which he gained in May 2008. Elections for these seats are due to be held in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
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. As Redbridge is part of the South East England
government office region, it is represented at the European Parliament by the ten South East England MEPs
.
As of the 2001 census
, Redbridge ward had a population of 14,432, and a population density of 36.03 persons per hectare.
which offers hourly services into Southampton City Centre
, Eastleigh
, Romsey
, Salisbury
and Chandlers Ford. The area is also served by a number of bus
operators, predominately First Hampshire & Dorset
and Solent Blue Line
. The area is easily accessible by car with M271 motorway
and A35 road
both running through Redbridge.
with a capacity of 900, and had 877 in January 2008, consisting of 389 girls and 488 boys.
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.
Wards of the United Kingdom
A ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
with a population of 14,432, 3.1 miles (5 km) to the west of the city centre
Southampton City Centre
Southampton City Centre is the commercial and organisational centre of the City of Southampton, and the transport hub of the city. Because Southampton is on the South Coast of England, the city centre is not at the geometric centre of the city, but at the southern extremity.The traditional heart...
of Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The settlement is positioned at the mouth of the River Test
River Test
The River Test is a river in Hampshire, England. The river has a total length of 40 miles and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe, 10 km to the west of Basingstoke , to the sea at the head of Southampton Water...
and is the southern terminus of the former Andover Canal
Andover Canal
The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.-History:...
and Sprat and Winkle railway line
Sprat and Winkle Line
The Sprat and Winkle Line was the familiar name of a railway line which ran between Andover and Redbridge in Hampshire, UK. It was also known as the Andover to Redbridge Line....
, and the modern M271 motorway
M271 motorway
The M271 is a motorway near Southampton in Hampshire, England. It is long. Construction began in 1973 and it opened in 1975. It provides part of the route to Southampton Docks from the M27.-Route:...
.
Because of its strategic position, the settlement became a substantial trading post and shipbuilding centre, with many merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
and Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
vessels being constructed in Redbridge in the 18th and 19th centuries
Today, the area is mainly residential and industrial, with a large council estate and a tower block
Tower block
A tower block, high-rise, apartment tower, office tower, apartment block, or block of flats, is a tall building or structure used as a residential and/or office building...
situated within the ward and Southampton Docks close by. The A35 road
A35 road
The A35 is a trunk road in southern England, running from Honiton in Devon, that then passes through Dorset and terminates in Southampton, Hampshire...
crosses the River Test at Redbridge, as does the South Western Main Line
South Western Main Line
The South Western Main Line is a railway line between London Waterloo and Weymouth on the Dorset coast, in the south of England. It is a major railway which serves many important commuter areas, as well as the major settlements of Southampton and Bournemouth...
railway. It has a small railway station
Redbridge railway station
Redbridge railway station is a small halt station in the Redbridge area of Southampton. The station is near to the end of the M271 where it meets the A33 Redbridge road....
.
Etymology
Redbridge has been known by several names, all derived from its position as a crossing point over the River TestRiver Test
The River Test is a river in Hampshire, England. The river has a total length of 40 miles and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe, 10 km to the west of Basingstoke , to the sea at the head of Southampton Water...
- originally as a ford
Ford (crossing)
A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...
and later with the bridge
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span physical obstacles such as a body of water, valley, or road, for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle...
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
Reed (plant)
Reed is a generic polyphyletic botanical term used to describe numerous tall, grass-like plants of wet places, which are the namesake vegetation of reed beds...
". Previous names and spellings include:
| Name | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| hreutford | 730 | |
| hreodford | 890 | |
| hreod brycge | 956-10 | |
| hreod bricge | 1045-11 | |
| Rodbrige | 1086 | |
| Redbrigge | 1222 | |
| Rudbrigge | 1276 |
History
Much of Redbridge's history is linked to its position at the mouth of the River TestRiver Test
The River Test is a river in Hampshire, England. The river has a total length of 40 miles and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe, 10 km to the west of Basingstoke , to the sea at the head of Southampton Water...
and, later, as the terminus of the Andover Canal
Andover Canal
The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.-History:...
. The first bridge was constructed in Medieval times, and has five arches.
The settlement was mentioned in the Domesday Book
Domesday Book
Domesday Book , now held at The National Archives, Kew, Richmond upon Thames in South West London, is the record of the great survey of much of England and parts of Wales completed in 1086...
of 1086 as Rodbrige, within the Manebrige (possibly Mansbridge
Mansbridge
Mansbridge is a suburb on the northern perimeter of Southampton, England. The area is named after the Mans Bridge which spans the River Itchen. For a considerable time, this was the southern-most crossing point of the river, before the construction of Woodmill in Swaythling...
) Hundred in Hantscire (Hampshire
Hampshire
Hampshire is a county on the southern coast of England in the United Kingdom. The county town of Hampshire is Winchester, a historic cathedral city that was once the capital of England. Hampshire is notable for housing the original birthplaces of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force...
). In 1575 and 1607, it was shown on maps as a small hamlet
Hamlet (place)
A hamlet is usually a rural settlement which is too small to be considered a village, though sometimes the word is used for a different sort of community. Historically, when a hamlet became large enough to justify building a church, it was then classified as a village...
, although in the latter it was shown as being within the "Redbridg Hundred".
In 1610 William Camden
William Camden
William Camden was an English antiquarian, historian, topographer, and officer of arms. He wrote the first chorographical survey of the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and the first detailed historical account of the reign of Elizabeth I of England.- Early years :Camden was born in London...
described the village and its history to date thus:
This indicates that a monastery and a church were already established in the hamlet of Redbridge. Redbridge again appeared on maps in 1611 and 1645 as a small hamlet within the Redbridge Hundred. The Ship Inn was built in 1654. A further map in 1695 shows the hamlet as being within the Waltham hundred.
The settlement was never a market town
Market town
Market town or market right is a legal term, originating in the medieval period, for a European settlement that has the right to host markets, distinguishing it from a village and city...
, but gained considerable status as a shipbuilding centre, for both merchant
Merchant
A merchant is a businessperson who trades in commodities that were produced by others, in order to earn a profit.Merchants can be one of two types:# A wholesale merchant operates in the chain between producer and retail merchant...
shipping and the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. It was recorded in 1724 and again in 1738 that, along with Bursledon
Bursledon
Bursledon is a village on the River Hamble in Hampshire, England. It is located within the borough of Eastleigh. Close to the city of Southampton, Bursledon has a railway station, a marina, dockyards and the Bursledon Windmill. Nearby villages include Swanwick, Hamble-le-Rice, Netley and Sarisbury...
on the other side of Southampton
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, King William III
William III of England
William III & II was a sovereign Prince of Orange of the House of Orange-Nassau by birth. From 1672 he governed as Stadtholder William III of Orange over Holland, Zeeland, Utrecht, Guelders, and Overijssel of the Dutch Republic. From 1689 he reigned as William III over England and Ireland...
's Navy built ships at Redbridge "besides [an] abundance of large merchant ships".
Southampton Water
Southampton Water is a tidal estuary north of the Solent and the Isle of Wight in England. The city of Southampton lies at its most northerly point. Along its salt marsh-fringed western shores lie the New Forest villages of Hythe and "the waterside", Dibden Bay, and the Esso oil refinery at Fawley...
to the Andover Canal
Andover Canal
The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.-History:...
, which opened the following year.
By 1815 Redbridge was well established as a village, albeit within the parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
of Millbrook. Located at the mouth of the River Test, and acting as the terminus of the Andover Canal
Andover Canal
The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.-History:...
, the village was a considerable trading post for commodities such as coal, timber and corn, as well as a centre for ship building.
Work began on converting the Andover Canal
Andover Canal
The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.-History:...
to a railway, which was to become known as the Sprat and Winkle Line
Sprat and Winkle Line
The Sprat and Winkle Line was the familiar name of a railway line which ran between Andover and Redbridge in Hampshire, UK. It was also known as the Andover to Redbridge Line....
, in 1859. The line opened in 1865, with a new course being laid twenty years later.
The M271 motorway
M271 motorway
The M271 is a motorway near Southampton in Hampshire, England. It is long. Construction began in 1973 and it opened in 1975. It provides part of the route to Southampton Docks from the M27.-Route:...
was opened in 1975; the motorway terminates at the Redbridge Roundabout, where it meets the dual carriageway A35 trunk road
A35 road
The A35 is a trunk road in southern England, running from Honiton in Devon, that then passes through Dorset and terminates in Southampton, Hampshire...
. The main carriageway of the A35 passes over the roundabout on a large overpass
Overpass
An overpass is a bridge, road, railway or similar structure that crosses over another road or railway...
, and to the west crosses the River Test
River Test
The River Test is a river in Hampshire, England. The river has a total length of 40 miles and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe, 10 km to the west of Basingstoke , to the sea at the head of Southampton Water...
on a large causeway, parallel to the main line railway
South Western Main Line
The South Western Main Line is a railway line between London Waterloo and Weymouth on the Dorset coast, in the south of England. It is a major railway which serves many important commuter areas, as well as the major settlements of Southampton and Bournemouth...
. It is these transport structures, together with industrial and high density residential developments, that dominate Redbridge today.
Governance
Southampton
Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest...
, which is a unitary authority
Unitary authority
A unitary authority is a type of local authority that has a single tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area or performs additional functions which elsewhere in the relevant country are usually performed by national government or a higher level of sub-national...
, 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. At present, two of these - Cathie McEwing and Peter Marsh-Jenks - represent the Labour Party
Labour Party (UK)
The Labour Party is a centre-left democratic socialist party in the United Kingdom. It surpassed the Liberal Party in general elections during the early 1920s, forming minority governments under Ramsay MacDonald in 1924 and 1929-1931. The party was in a wartime coalition from 1940 to 1945, after...
. The Conservatives have the third seat- represented by Paul Holmes which he gained in May 2008. Elections for these seats are due to be held in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
On a national level Redbridge is part of the Southampton Test parliamentary constituency. This seat is currently held by Alan Whitehead
Alan Whitehead
Alan Patrick Vincent Whitehead is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Southampton Test since 1997.-Early life:...
, also of the Labour Party. As Redbridge is part of the South East England
South East England
South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, designated in 1994 and adopted for statistical purposes in 1999. It consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex...
government office region, it is represented at the European Parliament by the ten South East England MEPs
South East England (European Parliament constituency)
South East England is a constituency of the European Parliament. It currently elects 10 Members of the European Parliament using the D'Hondt method of party-list proportional representation.- Boundaries :...
.
Demography
| Demographics at a glance | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 census United Kingdom Census 2001 A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194.... |
Redbridge Ward | Southampton Southampton Southampton is the largest city in the county of Hampshire on the south coast of England, and is situated south-west of London and north-west of Portsmouth. Southampton is a major port and the closest city to the New Forest... |
England England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental... |
| 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% |
As of the 2001 census
United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
, Redbridge ward had a population of 14,432, and a population density of 36.03 persons per hectare.
Transport
Redbridge is served by Redbridge railway stationRedbridge railway station
Redbridge railway station is a small halt station in the Redbridge area of Southampton. The station is near to the end of the M271 where it meets the A33 Redbridge road....
which offers hourly services into Southampton City Centre
Southampton City Centre
Southampton City Centre is the commercial and organisational centre of the City of Southampton, and the transport hub of the city. Because Southampton is on the South Coast of England, the city centre is not at the geometric centre of the city, but at the southern extremity.The traditional heart...
, Eastleigh
Eastleigh
Eastleigh is a railway town in Hampshire, England, and the main town in the Eastleigh borough which is part of Southampton Urban Area. The town lies between Southampton and Winchester, and is part of the South Hampshire conurbation...
, Romsey
Romsey
Romsey is a small market town in the county of Hampshire, England.It is 8 miles northwest of Southampton and 11 miles southwest of Winchester, neighbouring the village of North Baddesley...
, Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
and Chandlers Ford. The area is also served by a number of bus
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
operators, predominately First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset
First Hampshire & Dorset is a subsidiary bus company within FirstGroup, which operates buses and trains throughout Great Britain.First Hampshire & Dorset has its head office in Empress Road, Southampton and operates bus services in the Weymouth and Bridport areas in Dorset; and services in...
and Solent Blue Line
Solent Blue Line
Solent Blue Line Ltd formerly Musterphantom Ltd is a bus company which operates buses in Hampshire, England under the names Bluestar and Uni-link. The company was taken over along with its parent, Southern Vectis in 2005 by The Go-Ahead Group. From 25 February 2008, all previous Solent Blue Line...
. The area is easily accessible by car with M271 motorway
M271 motorway
The M271 is a motorway near Southampton in Hampshire, England. It is long. Construction began in 1973 and it opened in 1975. It provides part of the route to Southampton Docks from the M27.-Route:...
and A35 road
A35 road
The A35 is a trunk road in southern England, running from Honiton in Devon, that then passes through Dorset and terminates in Southampton, Hampshire...
both running through Redbridge.
Education
Schools in the area include the Redbridge Community School which is a specialist sports college in Cuckmere Lane, and Redbridge Primary School in Redbridge Road. The primary school has a capacity of 210 children of both genders, and as of January 2008 had 204 children in total (97 girls, 107 boys). Redbridge Community School is a secondary schoolSecondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
with a capacity of 900, and had 877 in January 2008, consisting of 389 girls and 488 boys.
Redbridge Wharf Park
Redbridge Wharf Park is a parkPark
A park is a protected area, in its natural or semi-natural state, or planted, and set aside for human recreation and enjoyment, or for the protection of wildlife or natural habitats. It may consist of rocks, soil, water, flora and fauna and grass areas. Many parks are legally protected by...
overlooking the tidal reaches of the River Test
River Test
The River Test is a river in Hampshire, England. The river has a total length of 40 miles and it flows through downland from its source near Ashe, 10 km to the west of Basingstoke , to the sea at the head of Southampton Water...
. It was formerly an area of railway sidings
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
. 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.