New Long Horse Bridge in August

EIGHT years after it was demolished as being unsafe, Long Horse Bridge over the Trent at Derwent Mouth is to be replaced.

Many readers of narrowboatworld may be aware of the problems besetting the construction of a replacement bridge, including who was to pay for it, subsequent lack of cash, but mostly caused by the river bank at the point where the new bridge was to be built being owned by angling clubs, the Derby Railway Angling Club and Pride of Derby Angling Club, who refused permission to sell the land for the bridge to be built. (Brian Holmes' photograph shows the original bridge being taken down.)

It was only the use of a compulsory purchase order that finally settled the matter, allowing finance to be arranged and details of the actual bridge to be decided.

In August

The result is that on the 15th August a new multi user bridge will be constructed across the river, just upstream from the site of the original bridge, with the work lasting just a remarkable five days, we are told.

Boaters at Shardlow Marina will have difficulty accessing the river during this period, as there will be stoppages from one hour to 48 hours on the 18th when the bridge will be lifted. Other boaters are requested not to use the river whilst the bridge is being constructed.