List of bridges in Cambridge
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The following is a list and brief history of the bridges over the River Cam in Cambridge, England.
The River Cam enters Cambridge from the south west of the city and heads north past many of the historic colleges of the University of Cambridge along the open area known as The Backs. After passing St John's College, it turns sharply and runs east, passing the weir at Jesus Green and the boathouses alongside Midsummer Common. Passing Chesterton, it turns north again and leaves the city, running a further 12 miles before merging with the Great Ouse.
[edit] Current bridges in Cambridge (South to North)
[edit] Footbridge, Coe Fen
Links Coe Fen behind the Leys School over a second small bridge to Lammas Land, near the area known as Hobson's Paradise. Known to most serious punters as the easiest for bridge hopping.
Also known as Sheep's Green bridge, it was closed in the second quarter of 2006 to replace the steps with ramps to make it easier for cyclists and prams to cross. The bridge decking was also replaced.
[edit] Fen Causeway Bridge
The first road bridge that is reached as the river enters the city. The road was formally opened on 9 December 1926[1].
[edit] Crusoe Bridge
A footbridge linking Sheep's Green and Coe Fen, and the final bridge on the 'Upper River' before it reaches the small weir at the mill pond.
[edit] Silver Street Bridge (1958)
The site of bridges back to the 14th century. This wide bridge was designed by Edwin Lutyens.
[edit] Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College (1902)
This is the third version of the design, first built in 1749.
[edit] King's College Bridge (1819)
The first bridge on the site was built in the 15th century, and has been rebuilt several times before the current incarnation, designed by William Wilkins and built by Francis Braidwood.
[edit] Clare College Bridge (1640)
The oldest of Cambridge's current bridges, this bridge in classical style was built by Thomas Grumbold. It survives as the oldest due to all its contemporaries being destroyed by the parliamentarian forces in the civil war, to make the town of Cambridge more defensible. Many different stories are told to explain the missing section of the globe second from the left on the south side of the bridge. One rumour is that the builder of the bridge received (what he considered to be) insufficient payment, and in his anger, removed a segment of the globe.
[edit] Garret Hostel Bridge (1960)
At least the eighth bridge on this site on Garret Hostel Lane between the colleges of Trinity and Trinity Hall. The current design is by T G Morgan.
Students of the University of Cambridge often refer to this bridge as Orgasm Bridge [2][3][4], with there being two possible explanations for the name: its relative steepness causes cyclists much effort to reach the top but this is usually followed by the pleasureable descent; and the speed of the descent over cobbles, combined with the placement of the bicycle seat, leading to a 'pleasurable' sensation.
[edit] Trinity College Bridge (1764)
Designed by James Essex it replaced a stone bridge built in 1651.
[edit] Kitchen Bridge, St John's College (1709)
The second oldest of Cambridge's remaining bridges, built by Robert Grumbold.
[edit] Bridge of Sighs, St John's College (1831)
Probably Cambridge's best-known bridge, designed by Henry Hutchison and based on a similarly named bridge in Venice, named because it led to the gallows.
[edit] Magdalene Bridge (1823)
Very close to the location of the Roman ford (around 40AD), and the location of the first bridge in Cambridge (probably built by Offa in the 8th Century AD).
The latest bridge was designed by Arthur Browne in Gothic revival style.
[edit] Footbridge over the weir, Jesus Green
An iron bridge over the weir that divides the 'Middle River' from the 'Lower River', where punts give way to rowing eights.
[edit] Victoria Avenue Bridge (1890)
Allowed the residents of Chesterton easy access to the city for the first time. The foundation stone was laid by Frederic Wace, mayor of Cambridge, on November 4 1889 and the bridge was officially opened by Wace on December 11 1890.
[edit] Footbridge, Midsummer Common
Also known as the "Fort St. George" footbridge. This bridge is now open for use by cyclists.
[edit] Cutter Ferry Bridge
A pedestrian and cycle bridge that links Cutter Ferry Lane with Midsummer Common. The original footbridge was closed in 2003 after over 75 years of service, and removed during December 2004. The replacement, over which cyclists may now legally cycle, was opened on 20th May 2005.
Also known by older residents as Pye's Bridge because of the one-time nearby Pye electronics factory, and by student rowers as Emma Bridge because of its proximity to Emmanuel College Boathouse. See here for a dramatic picture.
[edit] Elizabeth Way Bridge (1971)
A plain four-carriageway concrete bridge, opened by Lord Butler in his capacity as High Steward of Cambridge on July 13, 1971, this is Cambridge's most recent road bridge.
[edit] Riverside Bridge (forthcoming)
A new foot and cycle bridge is due to begin construction between Chesterton and Riverside in April 2007. It is expected to be completed in April 2008.[5]
[edit] Footbridge, Stourbridge Common
Known to locals as the "Green Dragon Footbridge" after the pub opposite its northern end.
[edit] Railway Bridge
Crosses the river through east Chesterton, south of the A14 bridge. It's the 3rd railway bridge to be built on this site, replacing a plain plate girder bridge which stood on the site between 1870 and 1930, which itself replaced a wooden bridge built in 1846.
[edit] A14 Bridge
Known (incorrectly) to rowers and others as the "Motorway Bridge". Crosses the river just south of Baits Bite Lock.
[edit] Footbridge over the weir, Baits Bite Lock
An elevated footbridge crosses Baits Bite Lock in Milton to a narrow islet. A concrete-arch footbridge then crosses the weir to the east bank near Horningsea.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Plaque on bridge
- ^ http://www.srcf.ucam.org/assassins/archive/2004-mw/mw04/news4.html
- ^ http://fliptomato.wordpress.com/2006/10/11/cambridge-at-night-a-photo-post/
- ^ http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?p=1293411
- ^ Riverside foot and cycle bridge from the Cambridgeshire County Council website, retrieved 10 March 2007
