Reedham Swing Bridge, Railway swing bridge in Reedham, Norfolk, England
The Reedham Swing Bridge is a railway bridge spanning the River Yare with two tracks that rotates horizontally to allow water vessels to pass through. A signal box from 1904 controls the bridge operations, which open regularly for boat traffic.
The Great Eastern Railway constructed the current double-track bridge in 1903 to replace the original single-track structure from the 1840s. This replacement allowed for increased train traffic to cross the river.
The bridge connects communities along the Wherry Line between Norwich and Lowestoft while maintaining traditional river navigation patterns. It represents a transport solution where trains and boats share the same waterway corridor.
The bridge opens regularly for boat traffic, so visitors in the area should be flexible with their timing. The best vantage point is from the side where you can observe the structure during its rotation.
The bridge still operates using hydraulic systems, a method dating back to its original construction. This vintage technology continues to function reliably for the thousands of openings each year.
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