Alney Island facts for kids
Alney Island is a special piece of land, like an island, located in the River Severn near the city of Gloucester in England. The River Severn actually splits into two smaller rivers, called channels, around Alney Island. These channels are known as the East Channel and the West Channel. They separate at the northern tip of the island (called Upper Parting) and then join back together at the southern end (called Lower Parting). Alney Island sits right in the middle of these two channels. It's about 3.5 kilometers (2.1 miles) long and 1.2 kilometers (0.74 miles) wide at its widest point. It is also a protected area called a local Nature Reserve.
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What is Alney Island Like?
Alney Island is mostly made up of flat farmland. Because it's so low, parts of the island can sometimes get wet when the River Severn rises. For example, during the big floods in the summer of 2007, an important electrical station on Alney Island had to be turned off to keep everyone safe. In February 2014, brave Royal Marines and Army members came to Alney Island to help out during more serious flooding. They worked to protect the area.
Homes and History
Even though much of Alney Island is farmland, some people live there too! There's a place called Pool Meadow where you can find both mobile and static caravan parks. There are also three streets with houses: Alney Terrace, Westend Parade, and Westend Terrace. Most of these homes were built a long time ago, between the 1820s and the 1890s. However, a few newer houses were built in the 1990s.
In the past, Alney Island was also a place where important work happened. There used to be "Lime Kilns" and "brick works" here. These were places where materials like lime and bricks were made, which were very important for building things back then.
Getting Around Alney Island
Alney Island is an important link for travel. Many roads and even a railway cross the island.
Bridges and Roads
- Over Bridge: A very old and famous bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, connects Alney Island to a place called Over. This bridge crosses the West Channel of the River Severn. Today, only people walking or cycling can use this historic bridge.
- Modern Roads: Two busy main roads, the A40 and the A417, also cross the West Channel onto Alney Island. After crossing the island, these roads then cross the East Channel to reach Gloucester city, ending near Westgate Street.
- Cycle Paths: If you like cycling, you'll be happy to know there are special bicycle paths around Alney Island. These paths are separated from car traffic, making them safer for cyclists.
The Railway
Alney Island is also crossed by the original South Wales Railway. This railway line travels west from Gloucester all the way to Cardiff Central. You can see a large railway viaduct (a bridge with many arches) on Alney Island that carries the trains.
