Southease Swing Bridge

Another nostalgic journey: I remember my father driving us across this bridge a couple of times on outings to Sussex in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when the minor road it carries still functioned as a through route between the main roads on either side of the Ouse, roughly half way between Lewes and Newhaven.

The road was closed as a through route a few years after, and until now I thought it must be because the bridge itself had been closed because it was unsafe, or to protect it. But today I discovered it remains in use: the road no longer functions as a public through route because it was closed (except to authorised users) at the level crossing over the Lewes-Seaford railway line, a few hundred metres to the east.

I also discovered that the bridge had recently been restored - and painted in a rather pleasing mint green colour.

Health & Safety rules have clearly led to the addition of extra mesh barriers alongside the carriageway, although the ladder on the side - presumably to assist with maintaining the structure - still looks a little nightmarish...