2018
SX9372 : A379, Shaldon Bridge
taken 7 years ago, near to Shaldon, Devon, England
This is 1 of 2 images, with title starting with A379, Shaldon in this square
A379, Shaldon Bridge
Between Shaldon and Teignmouth, the A379 crosses the estuary of the River Teign on the historic Shaldon Bridge which is a low-lying structure several hundred yards long. Originally it had a section that opened for shipping but this has been sealed for several years. This bridge was once tolled, becoming free in the 1940s.
The original bridge was the longest wooden bridge in England when it opened in 1827. Toll houses were built at each end of the bridge, and the one on the Teignmouth side survives. The bridge had to be rebuilt in 1840 after the centre arches of the bridge collapsed but it partially collapsed again in 1893. The bridge was completely rebuilt between 1927 and 1931, using steel for the piers and main girders and concrete for most of the deck, except for the opening span which used timber. Devon County Council bought the bridge from the Shaldon Bridge Company in 1948 and tolls were abolished
The original bridge was the longest wooden bridge in England when it opened in 1827. Toll houses were built at each end of the bridge, and the one on the Teignmouth side survives. The bridge had to be rebuilt in 1840 after the centre arches of the bridge collapsed but it partially collapsed again in 1893. The bridge was completely rebuilt between 1927 and 1931, using steel for the piers and main girders and concrete for most of the deck, except for the opening span which used timber. Devon County Council bought the bridge from the Shaldon Bridge Company in 1948 and tolls were abolished
The A379 in Devon
The A379 runs for 70 miles, linking Devon’s two principal cities, Exeter and Plymouth, following an indirect and largely coastal route. The A38 provides a faster and more direct inland route between Exeter and Plymouth, whilst the A380 provides a similarly faster route between Exeter and the Torbay area. However the A379 is significant because it serves a large number of smaller coastal communities and ports along the coast (eg Starcross, Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay, Paignton, Dartmouth). Apart from short stretches of dual carriageway at either end and in Torquay, the A379 is a single carriageway road, and is often narrow and twisting.
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- Grid Square
- SX9372, 1955 images (more nearby 🔍)
- Photographer
- David Dixon (more nearby)
- Date Taken
- Sunday, 22 July, 2018 (more nearby)
- Submitted
- Thursday, 16 August, 2018
- Subject Location
-
OSGB36:
SX 931 724 [100m precision]
WGS84: 50:32.5266N 3:30.5830W - Camera Location
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OSGB36: SX 931 724
- View Direction
- NORTH (about 0 degrees)
