Newton's Road bridge

Image: © Neil Owen Taken: 3 Sep 2014

There has been a bridge here at the southern end of Weymouth since this part was developed for the railways. In the 1890s, a cutting was made to take the lines through to a proposed cross channel steamer facility at Bincleaves Breakwater. An iron lattice bridge was put in place but the scheme was abandoned as WWI broke out and before the tracks were laid. The original bridge was replaced by a modernistic (and rather utilitarian) pre-cast concrete version in 1934, and that stood here until the structure was declared unsafe in 2004. After some concern that it would not be replaced, the council stumped up the £280,000 for a new one, with artist Chris Tipping created the look of it. It carries the South West Coast Path and links the Nothe with Bincleaves. It also was awarded the stamp of approval from London 2012 organisers - the Inspire mark - as part of the local improvements. See Image] for a closer look at the details.

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