Brunel, Bugs and Bridges

Great engineering on the Grand Union Canal

During a week in June 260 children from five primary schools in Southall, West London, took part in activities at Three Bridges on the Grand Union Canal to celebrate the link that the great engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel has with this area. In 1859 Brunel’s last major engineering project was to build a railway from Southall to the docks in Brentford which meant going under the canal. He chose to do this where the canal is crossed by a road so what is now known as Three Bridges is the meeting place for three forms of transport. This story was brought to life for the children as they met ‘Mr Brunel’ on the towpath. He explained how he built his railway and the children were able to ask him lots of questions about his life and other engineering achievements.