Swing Bridge, Fleet Street, New Swindon

From the Swindon Advertiser, 2nd February 1878

Tenders are invited for the erection of a swing bridge over the Wilts and Berks Canal, at the east end of Fleet Street. The drawings and specification may be seen at the office of Mr J .R. Shopland, Esq, Swindon.

Tenders to be sent in on or before the 9th day of February next to the undersigned. The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

GEORGE BROOKS,
Sec to Fleet Street Bridge Committee.
66 Regent Street,
New Swindon.

From the Swindon Advertiser, 6th May 1878

The operations in connection with the erection of a new bridge, which will provide a new and more commodious route to the station, were commenced on Monday morning early. The North Wilts Canal was dammed on either side of the site of operations, and as the water was drawn off, a great deal of interest was manifested in the catching of the various kinds of fish which were left floundering "high and dry" in the mud.

The bridge will be built at about the same level as that of the Golden Lion, and so will avoid the awkward rise which is such a nuisance at Bullen's Bridge, which it will no doubt in a great measure supersede, as it will provide an almost straight road from the station to Rushey Platt.

Messrs Edwards are the contractors, and the structure will stand on a solidly built brick and stone foundation on a bed of concrete, and will be constructed so as to swing round when any boats require to pass (which judging by the traffic on the canal of late, will be but seldom).

The roadway will be 9ft. 6in wide and the footway 6ft. 6in.

We believe that the money, excepting £150, the amount of expenses incurred in the erection of this bridge is promised, and we hope the remainder will soon be paid.

- on Thursday morning a considerable number of people assembled on the canal banks to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stones of the structure. The two stones were then laid by Miss Barker, daughter of the hon. sec. of the committee and by Miss Westlake, daughter of the chairman of the committee.