Got something to say or just want fewer pesky ads? Join us... 😊

What's your favourite BRIDGE?



West Hoathly Seagull

Honorary Ruffian
Aug 26, 2003
3,544
Sharpthorne/SW11
Clifton Suspension Bridge for me. A piece of absolutely masterful British engineering. Mind you, I did find myself getting vertigo when I looked down on the A4 from it (though funnily enough looking at the River Avon didn't have the same effect). The main reason why I couldn't sit in the WSU. Other favourites are the old Severn Bridge (more classical in design than the new one), the Menai Bridge, and Chelsea and Albert in London. Yes, I've got a bit of a fixation on suspension bridges. The Forth Bridge is a classic too. None really stand out in Sussex though, do they? I suppose the narrowness of our rivers doesn't help.
 






Surprised no one has nominated the Posingford bridge, probably the most famous bridge in Sussex, especially if you are fans of a cuddly fictional character. More widely known as the 'Pooh Sticks' bridge, in Ashdown Forest near Danehill and Hartfield.

It may be a rather unassuming bridge compared to some of the architectural wonders posted on here but is oh so significant to millions of fans worldwide. Always wondered why there are still so many trees and bushes left in the immediate area given how they are plundered for sticks on a daily basis.

Good call. I like the Tamar bridge 'cos it makes me think of the West Country and holidays, and the adjacent Brunel masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge.

But after due consideration I have settled on:-

PicForNewsletterIrelandSept2005IldeReBridge.JPG


......Which is the Ile de Re bridge connecting La Rochelle to the Ile de Re. An elegant bridge connecting an attractive and historic port with a lovely island. Will hopefully be crossing some time in August on our Vendee hols.
 
Last edited:


Bold Seagull

strong and stable with me, or...
Mar 18, 2010
30,465
Hove
the most over rated tourist attraction i have been to

What a very odd statement? Is it really an 'attraction' or just one part of a beautiful city? What about Michaelango's David, camp sculpture? The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore a bit too orange? The Medici Chapel a bit dull????
 


West Hoathly Seagull

Honorary Ruffian
Aug 26, 2003
3,544
Sharpthorne/SW11
Surprised no one has nominated the Posingford bridge, probably the most famous bridge in Sussex, especially if you are fans of a cuddly fictional character. More widely known as the 'Pooh Sticks' bridge, in Ashdown Forest near Danehill and Hartfield.

It may be a rather unassuming bridge compared to some of the architectural wonders posted on here but is oh so significant to millions of fans worldwide. Always wondered why there are still so many trees and bushes left in the immediate area given how they are plundered for sticks on a daily basis.

You know it's one of those you never go to your local attractions things for me. I've lived in this area now for nearly 37 years (okay I live in London during the week, but Sussex is still home), and am less than 10 minutes drive from Pooh Sticks Bridge, but have never been there, and can see Standen House from across the reservoir, but have never been there, even though I am an architecture freak. Again, while there is nothing spectacular about it, how about the Newhaven Swing Bridge (sorry if fixtures, I haven't read the whole thread)? There are not that many swing bridges left in the UK. Another one is at Goole in Yorkshire. Here's an interesting (or boring if that's how you feel) fact: it is also situated on a River Ouse. Only other one that springs to mind (sure there are others, but I've been out for a birthday meal and am rather knackered) is the one near Whitlingham Junction on the railway lines out of Norwich.
 






Again, while there is nothing spectacular about it, how about the Newhaven Swing Bridge (sorry if fixtures, I haven't read the whole thread)? There are not that many swing bridges left in the UK. Another one is at Goole in Yorkshire. Here's an interesting (or boring if that's how you feel) fact: it is also situated on a River Ouse. Only other one that springs to mind (sure there are others, but I've been out for a birthday meal and am rather knackered) is the one near Whitlingham Junction on the railway lines out of Norwich.
Swing Bridges in the UK:-

Hull Docks branch bridge Boothferry swing bridge at Boothferry, Yorkshire
Connaught Crossing in London Docklands, built as a low-rising swing bridge to allow marine traffic in the Royal Docks to pass at a place when the proximity of London City Airport meant a higher fixed bridge was not practicable.
Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford, Stockton Heath and Lower Walton in Warrington, and also slightly further west at Moore. Near the eastern end of the canal in Salford, the Barton Road Swing Bridge is adjacent to the Barton Swing Aqueduct - a 234-foot, 800-tonne trough holding some 800 tonnes of water (retained by gates at either end) swings so that it is at right angles to the Bridgewater Canal to allow ships to pass up the Ship Canal.
Swing Bridge, River Tyne at Newcastle Upon Tyne. The Tyne swing bridge has an 85.7 metre cantilevered span with a central axis of rotation able to move through 90° to allow vessels to pass on either side of it.
Trowse Bridge at Norwich. Carries the electrified Great Eastern Main Line over the River Yare. It is the only overhead electrified swing bridge in the country.
Barmouth Bridge - rail
Beccles swing bridge - rail
Bethells Swing Bridge
Coleraine Swing Bridge - railway bridge over the River Bann, in Co. Londonderry. Located on the Belfast-Derry railway line.
Folkestone Harbour railway station - railway bridge on the branch line.
Goole swing bridge - rail
Glasson Dock swing bridge
Hawarden Railway Bridge - rail (now deactivated).[2]
Hull, England docks branch bridge - rail
Leeds and Liverpool Canal Has a large number of swing bridges, especially between Bingley and Skipton and Burscough and Liverpool. Many are manually operated, carrying only farm tracks, but a significant number carry road traffic and are mechanised for boater operation.
Kennet and Avon Canal at Sulhamstead, Berkshire
Oulton Broad swing bridge - rail
Reedham Swing Bridge (52.55887°N 1.57237°E) - rail
Selby swing bridge - rail
Somerleyton swing bridge
Sutton Bridge swing bridge
Caernarfon swing bridge
Ross Bridge, Penzance
Kincardine Bridge - crossing the Firth of Forth from Falkirk council area to Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife


Swing bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Obviously NOT a complete list - since it doesn't mention Newhaven.
 








West Hoathly Seagull

Honorary Ruffian
Aug 26, 2003
3,544
Sharpthorne/SW11
Swing Bridges in the UK:-

Hull Docks branch bridge Boothferry swing bridge at Boothferry, Yorkshire
Connaught Crossing in London Docklands, built as a low-rising swing bridge to allow marine traffic in the Royal Docks to pass at a place when the proximity of London City Airport meant a higher fixed bridge was not practicable.
Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford, Stockton Heath and Lower Walton in Warrington, and also slightly further west at Moore. Near the eastern end of the canal in Salford, the Barton Road Swing Bridge is adjacent to the Barton Swing Aqueduct - a 234-foot, 800-tonne trough holding some 800 tonnes of water (retained by gates at either end) swings so that it is at right angles to the Bridgewater Canal to allow ships to pass up the Ship Canal.
Swing Bridge, River Tyne at Newcastle Upon Tyne. The Tyne swing bridge has an 85.7 metre cantilevered span with a central axis of rotation able to move through 90° to allow vessels to pass on either side of it.
Trowse Bridge at Norwich. Carries the electrified Great Eastern Main Line over the River Yare. It is the only overhead electrified swing bridge in the country.
Barmouth Bridge - rail
Beccles swing bridge - rail
Bethells Swing Bridge
Coleraine Swing Bridge - railway bridge over the River Bann, in Co. Londonderry. Located on the Belfast-Derry railway line.
Folkestone Harbour railway station - railway bridge on the branch line.
Goole swing bridge - rail
Glasson Dock swing bridge
Hawarden Railway Bridge - rail (now deactivated).[2]
Hull, England docks branch bridge - rail
Leeds and Liverpool Canal Has a large number of swing bridges, especially between Bingley and Skipton and Burscough and Liverpool. Many are manually operated, carrying only farm tracks, but a significant number carry road traffic and are mechanised for boater operation.
Kennet and Avon Canal at Sulhamstead, Berkshire
Oulton Broad swing bridge - rail
Reedham Swing Bridge (52.55887°N 1.57237°E) - rail
Selby swing bridge - rail
Somerleyton swing bridge
Sutton Bridge swing bridge
Caernarfon swing bridge
Ross Bridge, Penzance
Kincardine Bridge - crossing the Firth of Forth from Falkirk council area to Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife


Swing bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Obviously NOT a complete list - since it doesn't mention Newhaven.

Well there you are, Malbec is not the best aid to recall of information. It's blooming tasty though and a great accompaniment to steak (Fullers London Pride being the only bitter available if you wondered why I wasn't on the Harveys on my birthday).

Trowse Bridge at Norwich. That's the one I was thinking of. Greatham Bridge over the Arun near Coldwaltham is a fascinating one. Two thirds of its length is stone, the rest cast iron. Does anyone know if they cut a bit off to widen the river? I know the river is 14 feet deep further down (a reserve warden told me), but it's rather shallow under the bridge, so it can't surely have been to let boats through.
 
Last edited:








chucky1973

New member
Nov 3, 2010
8,829
Crawley
W
Three weeks today I will be at Milau, sight seeing. Can't wait!

Strictly speaking it's a viaduct but Wayne Viaduct is a porn star type name; so a bridge it is!

TNBA

TTF

I think this would have to be mine.

Epic in scale, and visually stunning.


image-aHR0cDovL2JsdWJlZGJ1aWEwMTo4My9pL0M2L0VERkNBOTk0NkVCMzk4OTlFMDhEREJEMTcxM0Q5Ni5qcGc.jpg

I beat you by about 10 days, will be there on 18th, love it when I get to the milau as I know I only have an hours drive left and then chilled rose starts to flow! Just 11 sleeps left
 








Swing Bridges in the UK:-

Hull Docks branch bridge Boothferry swing bridge at Boothferry, Yorkshire
Connaught Crossing in London Docklands, built as a low-rising swing bridge to allow marine traffic in the Royal Docks to pass at a place when the proximity of London City Airport meant a higher fixed bridge was not practicable.
Manchester Ship Canal at Latchford, Stockton Heath and Lower Walton in Warrington, and also slightly further west at Moore. Near the eastern end of the canal in Salford, the Barton Road Swing Bridge is adjacent to the Barton Swing Aqueduct - a 234-foot, 800-tonne trough holding some 800 tonnes of water (retained by gates at either end) swings so that it is at right angles to the Bridgewater Canal to allow ships to pass up the Ship Canal.
Swing Bridge, River Tyne at Newcastle Upon Tyne. The Tyne swing bridge has an 85.7 metre cantilevered span with a central axis of rotation able to move through 90° to allow vessels to pass on either side of it.
Trowse Bridge at Norwich. Carries the electrified Great Eastern Main Line over the River Yare. It is the only overhead electrified swing bridge in the country.
Barmouth Bridge - rail
Beccles swing bridge - rail
Bethells Swing Bridge
Coleraine Swing Bridge - railway bridge over the River Bann, in Co. Londonderry. Located on the Belfast-Derry railway line.
Folkestone Harbour railway station - railway bridge on the branch line.
Goole swing bridge - rail
Glasson Dock swing bridge
Hawarden Railway Bridge - rail (now deactivated).[2]
Hull, England docks branch bridge - rail
Leeds and Liverpool Canal Has a large number of swing bridges, especially between Bingley and Skipton and Burscough and Liverpool. Many are manually operated, carrying only farm tracks, but a significant number carry road traffic and are mechanised for boater operation.
Kennet and Avon Canal at Sulhamstead, Berkshire
Oulton Broad swing bridge - rail
Reedham Swing Bridge (52.55887°N 1.57237°E) - rail
Selby swing bridge - rail
Somerleyton swing bridge
Sutton Bridge swing bridge
Caernarfon swing bridge
Ross Bridge, Penzance
Kincardine Bridge - crossing the Firth of Forth from Falkirk council area to Kincardine-on-Forth, Fife


Swing bridge - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Obviously NOT a complete list - since it doesn't mention Newhaven.

Lord B - I am surprised that you missed this as it is probably the closest to the Bracknell Estate.

southease-bridge.jpg


Did you dismiss it as it no longer swings (like many of us).
 








Lord B - I am surprised that you missed this as it is probably the closest to the Bracknell Estate.

southease-bridge.jpg


Did you dismiss it as it no longer swings (like many of us).
The list was just a cut and paste job - from a less than perfect source.

The interesting thing about the swing bridge at Southease is that it was completely restored in 2010 (including replacing the turntable).

BBC News - Restored Southease Bridge officially opened

When I lived in Telscombe Village, at the end of the swinging sixties, I used to drive across it regularly. But these days it's only available to farm traffic and walkers.

Here's a bigger picture:-

southease2.jpg
 




Albion and Premier League latest from Sky Sports


Top
Link Here