Kingsferry Lift Bridge, Kent (Full Raise)

Kingsferry Lift Bridge, Swale, Kent over The Swale.

Location: Sheppey Way, Swale
Date Filmed: 14-04-2022
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Vessels:
General Cargo "CEMGULF"

Unique lift bridge over The Swale, connecting mainland Kent with the Isle of Sheppey. The current bridge dates back to 1960, and carries both a two-lane road and a railway line across. The Sheppey Crossing dual-carriageway bridge over the same water was built in and opened in 2006, but despite this the Kingsferry Bridge is still regularly used by traffic and trains. There are two LED wigwags, along with some very rare and unique vertical wigwags with white borders. In addition, there are four swing gates which automatically close and open, and these have magnets to secure them once closed, allowing the bridge deck to raise. For audible warnings, there are two bells which sound when the gates are closing and when the bridge deck is about to lower back down. A foghorn is also used which sounds when the bridge deck is fully raised. There are no set times of raise for the bridge as it opens for vessels on request. Cargo vessels use this bridge coming into and out of Ridham Dock. In the video, the full raise from start to finish was filmed.

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