Toll Bridge Restoration to former glory

Work on restoring the Grade II listed structure was completed and opened ahead of schedule at the end of August 2008.  The project followed a successful bid for Lottery Funding.

The toll bridge links Shoreham with Lancing and was built across the River Adur tidal estuary in 1781.  Prior to 1968 when it became a public bridleway, it was the A27!

The bridge was closed to the public during restoration and the impact of the work on the public was managed by close consultation with the Client.  The project has a design life minimum of 20 years.  Some of the refurbishment took place under tidal conditions.  Work started from the Eastern abutments and included:

• The selective replacement of timber piles, fixings and horizontal and diagonal braces
• The replacement of crossbeams and longitudinal beams supporting the deck
• Use of the existing decking
• New handrail and parapets
• Work on the abutments

The restoration concluded with work on the Western abutments.  Some old timbers that could not be reused went to Marlipins Museum, Shoreham and others were recycled by West Sussex County Council and Mackley Construction.