Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

grahame

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Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« on: August 15, 2021, 20:43:24 »

From page 12 of Industrial Archaeology News, Spring 2014

Quote

The Somerset Industrial Archaeological Society is attempting to assess the significance of an iron footbridge in Langport of unusual construction which spans a roadway between the A378 and the entrance to the former Railway Hotel. It comprises two sections which swing and close together and the operating mechanism consists of a manual winch with primitive gearing. There is no discernable foundry mark. The photographs show the bridge in the open and closed positions.

Also in Graces Guide

Quote

This curious little bridge was constructed to cross an access road separating the former Railway Hotel from the pavement alongside the A378 road.

The access road was originally the turnpike road, but in the 1850s the road had to be offset and elevated to cross the new Bristol and Exeter Railway line between Taunton and Yeovil.

The Railway Hotel was built in 1906 on the site of a thatched pub which burnt down. It was decided to have the hotel entrance on the first floor, which was slightly higher than the pavement of the elevated road.

A fixed bridge would not have allowed sufficient headroom for vehicles on the access road, so a moveable bridge was called for. The solution was most unusual. ...

(Continues)


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bradshaw

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Re: Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« Reply #1 on: August 15, 2021, 20:54:31 »

Bignose Mac posted a photo of it some time ago in one of his where was I? questions


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JayMac

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Re: Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« Reply #2 on: August 15, 2021, 22:47:50 »

Did I? Not one I remember posting but I may well have done.

Many pictures from my time living in Langport have been lost, both from device and cloud storage.

To the best of my knowledge the bridge is still there, and may be operational. I regularly drive through Langport on journeys between Templecombe and Taunton. I'll stop and take a gander the next time I pass through.


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bradshaw

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Re: Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« Reply #3 on: August 16, 2021, 08:07:16 »

Yes, it was during your sojourn at Langport. We visit the town quite frequently and it was there last time we passed.


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Oxonhutch

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Re: Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« Reply #4 on: August 16, 2021, 08:29:09 »

It can be seen here on Google Streetmap


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bradshaw

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Re: Langport Railway Hotel Swing Bridge

« Reply #5 on: August 18, 2021, 17:53:18 »

Was in Langport today and passed by to take a couple of photos

Altered to add this link from Graces Guide
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Langport_Railway_Hotel_Swing_Bridge


« Last Edit: August 18, 2021, 20:42:46 by bradshaw »	Logged

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