Maidstone Bridge

Maidstone Bridge is the original bridge across the River Medway in the centre of Maidstone. It carries the A20 and is one way south-westbound and forms a gyratory with the newer St Peter's Bridge which is just to the north-west.

History

The bridge was opened in 1879 and replaced a medieval bridge that had been altered over the years before it fell into a state of disrepair and was considered to be inadequate for the increasing traffic. The engineer for the new bridge was Sir John Bazalgette who costed the bridge and improved approaches at £32,000. He considered the stone bridge of 3 arches to be superior to the single span iron bridge suggested by members of the town.

It was constructed mainly of massive blocks of Cornish granite by Law and Chatterman with the first pile laid on 24 October 1877. It was opened on 6 August 1879 by Charles Ellis, Mayor. The cost had increased to about £50,000.

The centre arch was 54 feet and the adjacent arches 47.5 feet each. Roadway width was 24 feet with adjacent 8 foot wide footpaths. It was built within inches to the north of the old bridge.

The old bridge

It is considered to be 14th century and originally had 7 arches and had width for one vehicle. It was subsequently widened for two carriages to pass and in 1858 an additional 8 foot of width was added to it. The bridge was removed after the opening of the new bridge in 1879.

The gyratory with St Peter's Bridge

St Peter's Bridge is in the foreground with Maidstone Bridge behind

Links

• The Rochester Bridge Trust history page  2023 (archive.org)