Long Horse Bridge open soon

WORK is progressing on the new Long Horse Bridge over the Trent at Derwent Mouth, eight years after it was demolished as being unsafe.

There have been many 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.

Compulsory purchase

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.

The result is that work is well underway on the new bridge that will be a single  steel span across the river, the bridge being assembled on the bank, then lifted into position, with the promised opening date in August.

Bolted together

The pictures show the concrete pillars built on each side of the river, with the latter picture showing parts of the steel work of the bridge that will form the new bridge.

Boaters at Shardlow Marina have been warned of stoppages during the period when the bridge will be lifted into position and the ensuing work. Other boaters are requested not to use the river whilst the bridge is being constructed.