Moveable Bridges

Ryeford Swing Bridge

This is a pedestrian swing bridge located approx 100mtrs from Ryeford Bridge and is manually operated. It is used to gain access to some houses but has to be opened for craft to pass through.

To operate it, cross the bridge from the tow path, with the aide of a CRT key, undo the padlock and remove it.
The bridge may now be opened by pushing on the bridge at the non tow path side.
To close the bridge reverse the above making sure to replace the padlocks.

Ebley Mill Pedestrian Swing Bridge

This is a pedestrian bridge located near SDC’s offices and is manually operated. To operate it first put the barrier in place on the south side ( same side as the SDC’s offices ).

Cross the bridge and put the barrier in place on the north side ( the side that has the shops and cafes ).

With the aide of a CRT key undo the padlock and remove it. The bridge can now be opened. To close it, reverse the above making sure that the bridge is fully closed before the barriers are removed and the padlock is fitted. The barriers consist of heavy duty chain.

Chestnut Lane Bridge

Chestnut Lane bridge is an electrically operated swing bridge.

To operate the bridge, insert the CRT key and turn in a clockwork direction. Press the bridge open button and hold it down until the bridge is fully open.

Initially the sounders attached to the Wig Wag lights will operate, there will be a slight delay of a few seconds when the amber lights will flash. After a further delay the amber lights will extinguish and the red lights will alternate.

The two barriers will then lower to a horizontal position.

There will be a further delay where the the bridge wedges are automatically withdrawn and the bridge will then turn. As the bridge comes close to full travel the bridge will slow down and finally stop fully opened.

The bridge open button may now be released.

To close the bridge press the bridge down button and continue holding down until the bridge is fully closed.

When the bridge is fully closed the sounder and WigWag lights will reset and the barriers will open. The down button can now be released and the key withdrawn. In the event of a stoppage, the system can be reset by holding the bridge open button and the bridge closed button at the same time.

If there is a mains electrical failure the whole bridge system will shut down. On resumption of the electrical supply the bridge will stay in shut down. An engineer would have to attend site to reset the main control panel.

Lodgemore Lane Bridge

Lodgemore is a bridge that lifts up, pivoting at the main road end and is electrically opened and closed.

The method of operation is as follows:

Unlock and remove the two padlocks on the barriers and manually lower them to a horizontal position. Note that the bridge will not open if the barriers have not been lowered.

The consol is operated with the aide of a CRT key. With the key operated a sounder/strobe will function.

Press the bridge up button, the bridge will now rise. When it comes close to its full travel the bridge will slow down, when it reaches full travel it will stop.

To lower the bridge, press the down button, when it comes close to fully down it will slow down and will stop when fully down.

The key should then be removed and the barriers lowered and the padlocks replaced.

In the event of an emergency there is a large red button, press that in and the bridge will stop.

The red emergency stop button needs to be turned anti-clockwise to reset it.