New Bridge across Medway (1912)

Post date: Jul 18, 2011 2:14:54 PM

In 1912 a report on the existing bridge concluded that the bridge was 'past effectual repair' (see prior snippet, Bow Bridge Past Effectual repair, for more details on then existing bridge). The report (held at Rochester Bridge Trust Archives) went on to recommend a new bridge should be built:

"A more convenient site than that of the existing bridge has been selected for the proposed new bridge, in that it will enable the Railway Line to be spanned as well as the River, thus rendering unnecessary the dangerous and inconvenient railway level crossing.

The approach to the bridge on the southern side would lead from the foot of Bow Hill in the parishes of West Farleigh and Yading, and the approach on the northern side would lead from the main road from Maidstone to Nettlestead and Paddock Wood at a distance of about 370 yards westward of the present Bow Bridge.

The cost of the new bridge alone is estimated at £5,850 and it is considered desirable that a light iron footbridge of single span should be thrown across the river at the present site of Bow Bridge. It is therefore considered that the total cost including purchase of land and engineering fees etc. will be about £7,000 to £7,500.

Negotiations are in progress with the South Eastern Railway Company as to a contribution to be made by them. Rural District Councils will have power to borrow upon security of the General District rates a sum whose repayment could be spread over a term of years.

It is hoped that with the aid of a substantial grant of say £4,000 from the [Rochester] Bridge Wardens guaranteed to be contributed at the end of 2 years from the present time, the work so urgently required may be undertaken at once. It is estimated that about 9 months would be required for the completion of the work. ........

Total length of bridge 428 feet, in 8 spans. The River Medway is cleared in one span of 120 feet. The Railway is also cleared by one span. The total width between parapets is 21 feet. The bridge is designed to carry a moving load on two axles of 30 tons. The gradient of the bridge is one in fifteen from the southern end to the railway. The bridge is level over the railway and has a fall of 1 in 50 to the main road leading from Nettlestead to Wateringbury. ..... The foundation for the main abutments will be carried on ferro-concrete piles, estimated at 25 feet in length, and the other abutments on extended bases of ferro-concrete."

(click on image to open full-size)

Although the Rochester Bridge Wardens initially approved a grant of £4,000, the plans and the grant were subsequently abandoned, in view of the parlous financial condition of the Upper Medway Navigation Company, and a smaller bridge still operating today, in the same place as the old bridge, opened Thursday 22nd July 1915, with a 50% contribution (not to exceed £1,000) from the Rochester Bridge Wardens. Although WW1 was now in progress this is never discussed in the correspondence.