Bridgwater Bascule Bridge

The Bascule Bridge despite its early rebuilding in 1841 and remedial work during the 1860s and 1880s, was too narrow and of insufficient strength for road traffic. And essentially new bridge was constructed and erected by Messrs. John Lysight Ltd., of Bristol, the cast-iron main girders being replaced by two bascules of fabricated steel.

The brick and stonework abutments were altered so that the structure was of sufficient width for two vehicles to pass and a cantilevered footpath was added to the west side.

Each counter-balanced section pivots on a shaft turning in brass bearings contained in bearing boxes fitted to the abutment. The counter-weight sections or kentledges consist of an extension of each main girder with attached cast-iron weights.

In the lowered position each bascule is restrained by means of anchorage steelwork situated over a pit at the rear of the abutment wall.

Each bascule can be independently raised or lowered by a manually cranked handle which moves, by means of gearing a toothed, cast-iron quadrant attached to the end of the operating shaft.

When in its open, raised position the kentledge section is lowered into water permanently collected in the kentledge pit.

More than sixty years of operation resulted in serious cracks to the quadrants, both of which subsequently sheared, necessitating a complete overhaul of the structure in the early 1980's

In 1981 the countdown began for a spectacular lift off and the hoisting of the famous Bascule Bridge which will be moved in two sections for repair. The bridge along with the bascules or arms has stood in place since 1841.

One of the biggest cranes seen in the area and capable of lifting 350 tons at a cost of £850,000 will hoist the bridge on to a low loader. It will be taken to a nearby specially prepared compound where engineers will examine steelwork decay and assess whether it can be restored.

Workmen from Somerset County Council have been dismantling the bridge ready for the big lift and strengthening the dock entrance. The mobile crane a Demag TC 1200 from Sparrows of Bath will arrive from London in three sections.

The hire of the crane is in the region of £2,000 a day and the total cost is around £15,000 to remove it with the same amount to replace it. The overall cost could be around £50,000.

Everything depends on the condition of the bridge and the mechanism whether the bridge will return to its original position. There will be problems with in engineering the necessary spare parts as the moulds have long since disappeared.

The bridge is a listed monument and will attract a substantial grant from the Department of Environment, but it is not sure how much.

With each section weighing 37 tons is it necessary to have such a large crane.

The section nearest Russell Place would be lifted easily but the other is nearly 20 ft across the water and involves mechanical equation making the giant crane a necessity.

The crane will have 90 ton counterweight and be held firm by two 12 by 12 metre outriggers. Specially made lifting tackle has been prepared.

Bascule Bridge lift off 1981

People came to watch and photograph as the lifting of the twin 35 ton arms of the bridge took place. The bridge until two decades ago used to operate like its more famous tower bridge in London.

The first arm of the bridge some 30 ft in length was lifted so very slowly by the giant crane and carefully deposited on to the low loader, which will transport it to the specially prepared compound nearby, where it will be examined by engineers of the Bridges Department of County Council. The second arm was lifted shortly before one o’clock.

Mr Fred Johnson, surveyor of County Council was asked if the bridge could be repaired, he said that two years ago the cost of replacing the worn out parts was put at £102,000 by a specialist firm.

Mr Johnson added that the steel shaft was the most important part of the bridge and looked in Good Condition. However large flakes of rust and a great deal of the structure have been attacked by the saline atmosphere, a report will be expected in six months time.

About half of the length of the arms looks in reasonable condition and it might be possible to weld, at best we could finish up with half an ancient monument.