Bethells Bridge facts for kids
Bethells Bridge is a special type of bridge called a swing bridge. It is found on the Driffield Navigation, which is a canal in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. This bridge was built a long time ago so people could reach land that was cut off by a new part of the canal. Today, many boats are tied up near the bridge, and it's a popular spot for fishing.
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Where is Bethells Bridge?
Bethells Bridge is located close to a tiny village called Hempholme. It crosses the Driffield Navigation waterway. To the south, you'll find Struncheon Hill Lock, and to the north is Emmotland. The only public way to get to the bridge is by a small lane. This lane comes from Brandesburton and goes through Burshill.
- On the Driffield Navigation:
- The next place upstream (further along the canal) is Emmotland.
- The next place downstream (closer to the river's mouth) is Struncheon Hill Lock.
The Story of Bethells Bridge
Why the Bridge Was Built
Around 1803 to 1811, the Driffield Navigation canal was being improved. A new shortcut was dug to avoid a big bend in the River Hull near Struncheon Hill. Mr. Richard Bethell owned the land around this new shortcut. He needed a bridge to get to his land, which was now separated by the canal.
William Chapman, who was in charge of the canal work, chose to build a swing bridge. These bridges were common on the canal. Because the new canal section was wide, part of the bridge was made fixed. This helped to make the moving part of the bridge smaller.
How the Bridge Was Made
The bridge had a brick base with a curved iron edge. It rested on a central pin called a pintel. Four wheels helped to keep the bridge steady as it moved. These wheels rolled on a curved iron track. The main part of the bridge was made from strong wood, probably oak. Steel braces held the wooden parts together. Even the handrails were made of wood with crisscross supports.
At the same time, a house for the bridge keeper was built. This house is now known as Swing Bridge Cottage.
Bridge Problems and Repairs
Over time, as fewer boats used the Driffield Navigation, the bridge keeper was no longer needed. The bridge started to wear out in the 1950s because it wasn't regularly looked after. The wood became twisted, and by the late 1960s, the bridge could no longer swing open.
In 1978, a large truck crossed the bridge and damaged it, making it unsafe. This was a big problem because the bridge was important for milk trucks serving local farms. It was also a shortcut for other farm vehicles. Local farmers, including Richard, Mike, and Ben Southwell, and Mr. Keith Conner, teamed up with Colin Askin. Colin lived in Swing Bridge Cottage and was part of the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association. Together, they helped to fix and replace parts of the bridge.
The Bethells Bridge Boat Club
Around the same time, the Bethells Bridge Boat Club was started. Their first meeting was in 1979. The club used land owned by Ben Southwell for boat moorings (places to tie up boats). Later, other farmers also started letting people moor their boats on their land. That's why you see so many boats in the area today.
More Repairs and Changes
In the early 1980s, the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association did more work on the bridge's brick base. Later in the 1980s, they fixed the fixed part of the bridge. They replaced the handrails and many of the wooden floor beams that were rotting.
The Driffield Navigation Trust now manages the canal. They decided they owned Swing Bridge Cottage. Colin Askin, who still lived there, could have stayed, but he believed in helping the canal. So, he moved out. The cottage was rented out to raise money for the canal, but in 2017, it was sold to a private owner.
In the late 1990s, the fixed wooden section of the bridge needed fixing again. It was replaced with a strong steel structure, but it still had a wooden surface.
In March 2003, a brand new steel bridge was installed. This new bridge replaced the entire old structure. It had a new fixed section with a steel surface. Simpsons Civil Engineering from Driffield did the installation.
Making it Easier for Boaters
After the bridge keeper left, it became hard for boaters to use the bridge. There were no places to tie up boats right next to the bridge. Often, boat crews had to get off on the bridge itself. In 2006, the Driffield Navigation Amenities Association built a landing stage above the bridge. This made it much easier for boaters to operate the bridge safely.
The shady waters under the bridge are also a great place to find fish like perch and pike!
