Rochester Bridge Trust
The first bridge to cross the River Medway at Rochester was built about 43 A.D., soon after the Roman conquest of Britain. It had 9 stone piers constructed on foundations below the river bed.
Evidence of these foundations was found during construction work in the 1800’s.
Local parishes and manors were charged with the responsibility with keeping a section of the bridge in good repair – being 500 feet in length.
This repair system lasted for centuries, until the cold winter of 1381, when the River Medway froze solid. The “Winchester Chronicle” quoted “When the ice melted the greater part of the bridge was carried away, by flood waters and ice.
In February 1382, a Royal Commission concluded that Rochester needed a new bridge, which was constructed between August 1387 and September 1391 although constantly repaired, the medieval stone bridge continued to provide the only crossing at Rochester for almost another 500 years.
The programme of refurbishment, reconstruction and modernisation was continued was continued until the early nineteenth century when a new bridge was constructed and opened in 1824.
Due to the increasing demands of road and river traffic, the reconstructed medieval bridge was only a temporary solution. During the 1850’s at the insistence of the Admiralty, a cast iron bridge was constructed and opened in 1856. This was a marvel of Victorian engineering.
In April 1910, major renovation of the bridge was carried out. It was declared open for traffic in May 1914, this reconstructed bridge is known as the Old Bridge and was opened by Lady Darnley.
Construction began in 1967 of the New Bridge, which was opened to traffic in April 1970 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret.
Evidence of these foundations was found during construction work in the 1800’s.
Local parishes and manors were charged with the responsibility with keeping a section of the bridge in good repair – being 500 feet in length.
This repair system lasted for centuries, until the cold winter of 1381, when the River Medway froze solid. The “Winchester Chronicle” quoted “When the ice melted the greater part of the bridge was carried away, by flood waters and ice.
In February 1382, a Royal Commission concluded that Rochester needed a new bridge, which was constructed between August 1387 and September 1391 although constantly repaired, the medieval stone bridge continued to provide the only crossing at Rochester for almost another 500 years.
The programme of refurbishment, reconstruction and modernisation was continued was continued until the early nineteenth century when a new bridge was constructed and opened in 1824.
Due to the increasing demands of road and river traffic, the reconstructed medieval bridge was only a temporary solution. During the 1850’s at the insistence of the Admiralty, a cast iron bridge was constructed and opened in 1856. This was a marvel of Victorian engineering.
In April 1910, major renovation of the bridge was carried out. It was declared open for traffic in May 1914, this reconstructed bridge is known as the Old Bridge and was opened by Lady Darnley.
Construction began in 1967 of the New Bridge, which was opened to traffic in April 1970 by Her Royal Highness Princess Margaret.