Redbridge, Southampton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Redbridge
Redbridge
Population	14,432
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
Fire	Hampshire
Ambulance	South Central
EU Parliament	South East England
UK Parliament	Southampton Test
List of places UK England Hampshire 50°55′11″N 1°28′25″W / 50.91977°N 1.47358°W / 50.91977; -1.47358

Redbridge is a part of Southampton, England, located about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) west of the city center. It's a place where the River Test meets the sea. Redbridge was once the end point for the old Andover Canal and a railway line. Today, it's also where the M271 motorway ends.

Because of its important location, Redbridge became a busy place for trade and building ships. Many merchant ships and Royal Navy vessels were built here in the 1700s and 1800s.

Today, Redbridge is mostly a place where people live and where there are factories. It has a large area of council homes and a tower block. The Southampton Docks are also nearby. The A35 road and the South West Main Line railway both cross the River Test at Redbridge. There is also a small train station here.

What's in a Name? The Meaning of Redbridge

Redbridge has had several names over time. All of these names come from its location as a place to cross the River Test. First, there was a shallow crossing point called a ford. Later, a bridge was built, which gave the area its current name.

The first part of the name, "Red," comes from an old word meaning "reed." So, the name basically means "reed bridge" or "reed ford." Here are some of the older names and how they were spelled:

Redbridge Through Time: A Brief History

The history of Redbridge is closely tied to its location on the River Test. It was also important because it was the end of the Andover Canal. The first bridge was built in the Medieval period. It was just north of an older ford. In the early 1700s, a five-arch bridge was built, paid for by local traders.

Redbridge was mentioned in the Domesday Book in 1086 as "Rodbrige." Maps from 1575 and 1607 showed it as a small village. In 1610, a writer named William Camden described Redbridge. He said that a monastery and a church were already there. The exact location of this monastery is not known today. The Ship Inn, a famous building, was built in 1654.

Redbridge was never a large market town. However, it became very important for building ships. Both merchant ships and ships for the Royal Navy were built here. Records from the 1700s show that King William III's Navy built ships at Redbridge. Many large merchant ships were also constructed here.

The 1793 bridge (in the foreground) with the newer road bridge behind

Redbridge Bridge – The old causeway from the south side at low tide.

In 1793, a second bridge was built at Redbridge. This bridge allowed boats to travel from Southampton Water to the Andover Canal. The canal itself opened the next year. By 1815, Redbridge was a well-known village. It was a busy trading center for goods like coal, wood, and grain. It was also still a place where ships were built.

In 1859, work began to turn the Andover Canal into a railway line. This line became known as the Sprat and Winkle Line. It opened in 1865. A new road and bridge were completed in 1930, costing £100,000. In the 1970s, another road was added over the River Test, next to the main railway line.

The M271 motorway opened in 1975. This motorway ends at the Redbridge Roundabout, where it meets the A35 main road. These roads and the railway, along with homes and businesses, are a big part of Redbridge today.

How Redbridge is Governed

Redbridge is part of the City of Southampton. Southampton is a unitary authority, which means it has one main local government. Three of the 48 councillors on Southampton City Council are elected to represent the Redbridge area. As of June 2015, one councillor was independent, and two were from the Labour Party.

At a national level, Redbridge is part of the Southampton Test parliamentary constituency. This is the area that elects a Member of Parliament (MP) to the UK Parliament. The current MP for this area is Alan Whitehead, who is also from the Labour Party.

Who Lives in Redbridge? Demographics

In the 2001 census, the Redbridge area had a population of 14,432 people. The population density was about 36 people per hectare (a measure of how many people live in a certain area).

Getting Around: Transport in Redbridge

Redbridge has its own train station. From here, you can catch hourly trains to places like Southampton City Centre, Eastleigh, Romsey, Salisbury, and Chandlers Ford. Many bus routes also serve the area, mainly run by Bluestar. It's easy to get to Redbridge by car, as the M271 motorway and A35 road both pass through it.

Learning in Redbridge: Schools

There are schools in the Redbridge area. Redbridge Primary School is located on Redbridge Road and can teach up to 803 students. Redbridge Community School is a specialist sports college on Cuckmere Lane, with space for 1,050 students.

Redbridge Wharf Park: A Green Space

Redbridge Wharf Park is a park that looks out over the River Test. It used to be an area where trains were stored. Now, it has grassy areas, bushes, and a path that leads to a riverside walk. You can only get to the park by crossing a footbridge from Redbridge railway station.

MP3 Project: Community and Sports

A new sports building and community center opened in Mansel Park on March 18, 2008. This project, called the Mansel Park Pavilion (MP3), received money from the government and the City Council. The new building is home to the Golden Ring Boxing Club, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Youth Options, and the Millbrook Towers & District Community Association. These groups worked together to plan and fund the project. They now manage the building to help the local community.