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Earith suspension bridge. Photo c.1930 D G Reid

Earith suspension bridge

Earith

Earith bridges OS 1888

Mike Petty in Fenland History notes:

An iron suspension bridge was erected across the New Bedford River at Earith in 1865 replacing a wooden bridge which was badly damaged when a heavy steam threshing engine and tackle passed over it. The driver, on hearing the crack, ran for safety, leaving the engine to cross by itself, which it did without mishap.

The new bridge was tested through bearing the weight of the engine that had damaged its predecessor but it was discovered that it suffered from an excessive amount of sway and had to be anchored to prevent this. [C.F. Tebbutt. Bluntisham-cum-Earith. 1941]. It was replaced in the 1960s.

River Great Ouse at Earith (RGL2025)

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