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Lytham St.Annes History |
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Newspaper article dated 1938
THE above sketch by Mr. S.Wilkinson, A.F.C., F.R.I.B.A., of Lytham, the Lancashire County Council architect, shows in more detailed form his scheme for a bridge across the Ribble estuary at Guides' House, Warton, a drawing of which was given in the Express a few weeks ago. Keenly interested in proposals for bridging the Ribble estuary because of his experience of similar work in India, Mr. Wilkinson as designed a scheme to link up he two sides of the river from a point on the Lytham side, where there is already a secondary road in existence. Mile-long Bridge. Mr. Wilkinson's proposal is to provide a Mile-long bridge with a series of steel spans, and at the point where the bridge passes over the permanent waterway for the passage of vessels up and down the Ribble a bascule or lifting bridge would be provided, which could be made as wide as 100 feet if necessary. Monolithic portals in Portland stone would be built on each side of the river at each entrance to the bridge, and would be a striking feature. Living quarters for tollkeepers are included in these structures, and from the offices below it would be possible to work switches operating the lifting portion, the machinery for which would be housed in the supporting piers.
For Road Traffic and Pedestrians. The structure would be carried on a series of cast-iron piers placed at intervals of about 200 feet. Twenty-four spans of 200 feet and two of 150 feet each would make up the bridge length and the opening dart would be carried by the bascule decking. A roadway of 20 feet or more would allow for traffic travelling in both directions, and two six- feet footways could be arranged. Rustless Steel? Mr. Wilkinson suggests a welded structure as being stronger than a rivetted construction, and goes so far as to hint at rustless steel as being a possible saving in maintenance. Such a bridge as he proposes would have the minimum interference with the natural flow and scour of the river and tributaries. On the question of cost, Mr. Wilkinson pointed out to an " Express " representative that he had to allow for many contingencies, but he is of opinion that the bridge can be built for £800,000. The building of a bridge across the Ribble at Guides' House would shorten the distance between the Fylde coast and South West Lancashire by 30 miles. Newspaper article dated 1938
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