Kingsferry Bridge kaput

Juan Twothree

Juan Twothree

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Network Rail have announced that, due to mechanical failure, the Kingsferry Bridge will be inoperative and unable to be lifted until further notice. Efforts to repair the fault will commence on Monday 18th November 2019 but timescales for normal service restoration are unknown.
 
Thanks for the info. I predict it will be fixed very slowly (or never, the end of an era? Let's hope not but...)
I stayed in Queenie, hanging off a buoy for a year and it was a useful shortcut to Ramsgate in a slow yacht.
What about the commercial shipping, won't closing the bridge shut down that route?
Fingers crossed Network Rail are obliged to sort it.
 
Ohlin Karcher said:
Fingers crossed Network Rail are obliged to sort it.
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I don't know the situation in that particular case, but in most of them there is a legal obligations to facilitate navigation by lifting the bridge - typically in the Act of Parliament that allowed the bridge to be constructed in the first place (it may be part of the Act facilitating the rail line). Actually enforcing that obligation in the short/medium term is another matter.

I am aware of at least one coastal port which, for most craft, is accessed by a lifting road bridge. The Act of Parliament for the bridge requires it to be lifted on demand, but over the years the opening hours have been progressively significantly restricted for the convenience of the bridge operator and vehicle traffic. Fortunately for the operator and the town's motorists, very few are aware of the legal requirement.
 
Some years ago it was a fairly common sight to see ships heading along the East Swale. However they may have been only empty ones heading away from Ridham, I can't remember. Certainly Ridham Dock is pretty busy these days and I know that Network Rail can be fined for fairly minor hold ups of ships using it, so I am very surprised there is not more urgency shown about fixing it.
The lifting machinery is old, indeed original (1950's), and Netwok Rail had a contract lined up 2 years ago to renew it all, but the contractor pulled out.
It is a 'maritime right of way' and I don't think NR can escape their obligation.
 
Ohlin Karcher said:
I don't think so, from memory isn't there a bend in the channel which they could not pass. Milton Creek? Where the DOB switches direction. Could be wrong.
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I don't think it's the bends that would stop them as ships go as far as Grovehurst that is round the bends, but from Elmley Ferry the channel is pretty narrow and shallow until nearly to Harty. Without looking it up, I think it's about 0.9m over CD most of the way. It's not easy staying in the channel, even with a plotter. The buoys are a long way apart. I believe there is an act of Parliament giving a right of passage, but Ships do have to give way to trains. Looks as though there are 3 ships at Ridham at the moment. I wonder who pays for their lost time?
 
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The word from Rob at Queenborough harbour is that they are lifting the bridge manually. How they do that I don't know, but apparently it takes a lot longer so it is for commercial vessels going to and from Ridham only. But I guess if you time it right anyone should be able to squeeze through on the same lift
 
Pretty certain I heard somebody this afternoon (Sunday 17th )talking to Peel Ports and announcing that they about to depart Grovehurst.
 
I went through in September and it took 3 attempts to "release the latches." it was said a few years ago that it was the motors that were worn out causing them to overheat in hot weather. A contract was in place to replace them. The contractor pulled out, it was reported due to the devaluation of the £ due to Brexit.
 
Just spoke to Medway VTS and they state the bridge is opening as normal as they have had ship transits today. My enquiry with Network rail earlier revealed a problem with the power supply and a standby generator was being installed. Good, I wish to transit tomorrow!!
 
That’s correct, it’s operational again now. They did move fast after all, but not because they were anxious to please the likes of us, I’m sure!
 
Came through the bridge today, intending to transit at 1210hrs but due the the repairs being made by the contractors on site we had to wait until two commercial vessels were ready to transit outward bound. This occurred at 1440 hrs. Just caught my tide to Ironwharf. Worth checking the commercial vessel transit times. Looked to be a very large generator on the bridge and many workers.
 
Any further news? We are hoping to move our new boat from Conyer Harbour/Swale Marina to her mooring on the Medway during the second week of December. Who should I contact to find out more? Is it Network Rail? Otherwise the long way round I assume :(
 
Cantata said:
No further formal info, so you can assume it’s working as described above.
Call Medway VTS to check if you want to.
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Thank you Cantata. We had our Sea Trial today and will definitely be moving her from her present home to MYC during the second week of December; just waiting for the surveyor to visit her now, the Marina can't lift out and hold until then.
 
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