Somerleyton Swing Bridge

The Somerleyton Swing Bridge spans the River Waveney with a wrought iron structure supported by three longitudinal beams measuring 139 feet in length.

Built in 1905 by the Great Eastern Railway, this double-track bridge replaced an earlier single-track structure to accommodate increased rail traffic demands.

The bridge represents the integration of rail and maritime transport systems, allowing both trains and boats to use their respective routes through careful coordination.

The structure provides 8.5 feet of clearance when closed and features a 54-foot-wide navigation channel for water vessels passing through the River Waveney.

Network Rail operators must physically walk across the bridge to release the lock pin before returning to the signal box to control its movements.

Inception: 1905

GPS coordinates: 52.51240,1.64688

Latest update: March 8, 2025 17:12