File:High Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 2227737.jpg

English: Duke Street Bridge is colloquially known as High Bridge, as it replaced a lower bridge over the River Kennet in 1793, at the time when the river was being made navigable between Reading and Newbury. Until then the wharves had all been on the far, eastern, side of the bridge. This bridge is the eastern extremity of a narrow, fast-flowing section of the river known as the Brewery Gut, so called because it ran through the centre of the former Simmonds Brewery site. Today the site, all behind me, is occupied by the Oracle shopping, entertainment and restaurant complex. The river is navigable, but because it is narrow it is traffic light controlled. Nevertheless when the river is flowing well it is a challenge to line up your boat for the arch on this bridge, the bend from the right being sharper than it appears here. Basically you need to be on tickover, point your bow at the right-hand lowest point of the arch, and as the current pushes your boat to the left put some welly on. Gouges out of the left hand side of the arch indicate where people have not been assertive enough.