Weymouth Town Bridge

Weymouth Town Bridge is a lifting bascule bridge in Weymouth, Dorset, England, connecting the formerly separate boroughs of Weymouth and Melcombe Regis. The bridge can be lifted to allow boats access to the inner backwater of Weymouth Harbour, known as Weymouth Marina. The bridge, opened in 1930, is the sixth to have been built across the harbour since 1597 and has been Grade II Listed since 1997.[1] Today, the hydraulically-operated bridge is raised every two hours, 363 days of the year.[2] It remains one of Weymouth's most iconic features.[3]

Weymouth Town Bridge
The bridge being raised.

History

Weymouth and Melcombe Regis had been united by Queen Elizabeth I to form Weymouth in 1571. The first bridge connecting the two boroughs was built of timber in 1597 to replace a rope ferry that had operated for many years.[1] This bridge underwent repair after suffering damage during the English Civil War of 1642-1646.[4] The bridge was rebuilt three times during the 18th-century; in 1713, 1741 and again in 1770.[5] Plans for the first stone bridge were drawn up in 1821, and the bridge was completed and opened in 1824.

The present bridge was constructed in 1929-30, with the foundation stone having been laid in April 1929 by Percy Boyle, the Mayor of Weymouth.[5] Bolton and Larkin Ltd was employed as the general contractor, with the steelwork contract going to Cleveland Bridge & Engineering Company. Local men were employed to construct the bridge, which cost £90,000 to build, funded by the Borough Council, the Ministry of Transport and Dorset County Council. It was opened by HRH Duke of York on 4 July 1930.[1]

References
  1. Historic England. "TOWN BRIDGE, Weymouth and Portland (1313402)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  2. "Weymouth Town Bridge". Weymouth Harbour. 4 July 1930. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  3. Joanna Davis. "The building of Weymouth's town bridge in 1930". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  4. "The bridges of Weymouth | Dorset Life - The Dorset Magazine". Dorset Life. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  5. "Domesday Reloaded: Weymouth Town Bridge". BBC. Retrieved 23 October 2017.

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