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A causeway is a slightly-raised permanent structure leading from the riverbank out onto theforeshore to allow access to river craft during low tide. They were often built as part of a network ofcauseways and Waterman's stairs as picking up and setting down points for passenger craft. Theywere often located next to public houses.

Form and materials:

Causeways provided pedestrian or vehicle access to small river craft at times of lower tide whendirect access could not be made from the bank or quay. Causeways are often associated with abreach in the river defences (or a Waterman's stair) which provided access to the causeway. Thecauseway was raised proud of the foreshore so that small, shallow-draughted vessels could bebrought alongside and entered from the causeway without getting wet feet:the lower the tide, thefurther the walk along the causeway.

Causeways usually consist of a narrow linear structure leading from the access point (normally aWaterman's Stair) into the river. The causeway is built directly onto the foreshore and consists of ahard surface, often of mortared masonry, brick, or gravel set on a bed of made ground; althoughmedieval or Tudor causeways may have been built of timber and brushwood (possible example at

Kew). The causeway surface was usually revetted by timber stakes and planks.

The surface of the causeway may be damaged by river craft, scoured by the river or robbed forreuse. Once the integrity of the structure has been breached deterioration can be very fast. Whenthe surface has been completely removed the remaining timbers can be confused with a small jetty. A pedestrian causeway is usually narrower than a jetty, and the timbers may be of smallerdimensions.

Causeways are shown on 17th and 18th century maps of the river, as well as on later OrdnanceSurvey maps, where related features may also be shown such as wharehouses, wharves, jetties orferries.

Pedestrian causeways have been recorded at Chiswick, with vehicle causeways beneathSouthwark and Blackfriars bridges. At Rattcliff a vehicle causeway is constructed of a gently slopinggrid of timbers with a plank surface and is immediately adjacent to a pedestrian causeway. Vehiclecauseways may be confused with slipways, but they may have served dual purpose.

thames discovery programmeforeshore factsheet number two causeways

Examples of causeways:Stairs and causeway, Tower Hamlets showing causeway and Watermans access stairs between warehouses; twoviews of an eroded causeway with access stair at Isleworth: the timber revetment is all that survives.

Chiswick Church causeway, showing masonry surface and timber revetment; Aldermans

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Recording issues:

How was the causeway constructed? What materials were used for construction? Is there anyreused material? Any moulded or marked stones or dateable bricks? Is there any stratigraphyassociated with the structure?

Are there any signs of repairs or rebuilds? What is the latest material used to repair the

causeway?

Is there any damage to the causeway? Are there any threats to its survival?

How was the causeway accessed? What are the nearest access points or river stairs? Is therean access alley or road? How far out into the river does the causeway extend? Has thecauseway been extended?

What is the height in relation to existing foreshore is it partly buried, or standing proud? Canyou tell its original height by looking at any revetting planks?

How far does it extend into the river? What can this tell us about historic low tide levels?

Associated structures: Watermans stairs? Bridges? Jetties or wharves? Mooring posts? Arethere any buildings on shore that may be related? Public Houses? Wharehouses?

Is there any evidence for the causeway on historic or Ordnance Survey maps? Or illustrationsand drawings of the area? Can these be used to date the structure? Are there any relatedplace-names or structures shown on maps? How does the causeway relate to propertyboundaries shown on historic maps?

this factsheet has been generously funded by the Barbara Whatmore Trust

thames discovery programme 2010

Further information:

Cohen, N, 2006 River Thames Foreshore: Church Causeway Chiswick W4, London Borough ofHounslow; an archaeological assessment and foreshore survey report, MoLAS unpublished clientreport

Useful wiki page on watermans stairs: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermen's_Stairs

See photos of causeways at the Thames Discovery Programme Flickr page:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thamesdiscovery/tags/causeway/

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Detail of Chiswick Church causeway showing stone and brick surface with timber revetment

stone and granite sett surface

timber revetment