Record Details

NHER Number:33880
Type of record:Monument
Name:Martham Ferry swing bridge

Summary

Site of a succession of swing bridges over the River Thurne linking Martham with Heigham (or Martham) Holmes. The 1987 bridge was de-listed in 2011 ahead of replacement.

Images - none

Location

Grid Reference:TG 4452 1945
Map Sheet:TG41NW
Parish:MARTHAM, GREAT YARMOUTH, NORFOLK
POTTER HEIGHAM, NORTH NORFOLK, NORFOLK

Full description

Floating swing bridge about 1920.
(S1) states: replacing a 19th century bridge, but H. St John Bolingbroke gives the reach name as Martham Ferry Reach; was there a pre 19th century ferry?
Concrete abutments with steel winch and post from which linking gider connects with floating platform, linked by chain with winch.
Information from (S1), grade II listing.
E. Rose (NLA) 7 October 1998.

However see (S2) which gives history and states that the floating bridge was replaced in 1987.
E. Rose (NLA), 8 January 2001.

Although the swing bridge has been replaced twice, the design has stayed the same. When unused it rests parallel to the south bank of the river. It is then winched outward in an arc towards the north bank and water is let into the balast tank to level the pontoon with the far bank.
NIAS records (S3)
W. Arnold (HES), 18 January 2011.

January 2011
The swing bridge has been de-listed on the basis that it is an entirely modern structure.
See (S4) for further information.
A. Yardy (HES), 01 October 2012.

Monument Types

  • BRIDGE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • CABLE STAYED BRIDGE (Post Medieval - 1540 AD to 1900 AD)
  • SWING BRIDGE (Early 20th Century to 21st Century - 1901 AD to 2100 AD)

Associated Finds - none

Protected Status - none

Sources and further reading

---Monograph: Pevsner, N. and Wilson, B. 1997. Norfolk 1: Norwich and North-East. The Buildings of England. 2nd Edition. p 609.
<S1>Designation: English Heritage. National Heritage List for England. List Entry 1398048.
<S2>Article in Serial: Manning, D.. 2000. Martham Ferry.. NIAS Journal. Vol 6, No 5. pp 14-22.
<S3>Archive: NIAS. Norfolk Industrial Archaeology Society Records.
<S4>Unpublished Document: English Heritage. 2011. Advice Report, Martham Ferry, Martham.

Related records - none

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