Bridge is restored to original beauty and ahead of time
As Teston Bridge re-opens the painstaking repair work to restore the 15th-century structure can be revealed.
In August, the grade I listed span was damaged by drinkdriver Ben Emery and was left with 10ft cracks in the parapet.
A fortnight later it was shut to traffic after investigators found vibrations from passing vehicles put the walls in danger of collapsing into the River Medway.
Steadline Limited was contracted by Kent County Council to carry out the £75,000 repairs over 12 weeks from September.
Despite this the county council believed the bridge could re-open in early October, later revising this to November.
The contractor maintains it completed the project early, with the closure lifted last Wednesday.
Steadline had to use historically accurate materials under the supervision of inspectors from Heritage England.
This included using the same hydrated lime mortar. A sample sent for analysis found the original was made from sand from a quarry in East Peckham. This no longer exists so colouring was used instead.
In addition, a diver was hired to retrieve stonework which had fallen into the river. Where it couldn’t be recovered, stone left over from repairs to East Farleigh Bridge was used instead.
Each brick was numbered and photographed as the walls were taken down before being returned to the same spot.
Brian Daniel, Steadline’s contracts manager, said: “It is nice to be able to repair something of historical interest and we like to be able to leave people thinking ‘that is a good job well done’.
“To finish early is always a bit of a bonus but we have been lucky with very good weather since we have started. There was one day we couldn’t work.”
Teston Lane carries more than 5,000 vehicles a day. A diversion route was put in place involving Tonbridge Road, Bow Road, Maidstone Road, Hampstead Lane, Benover Road, High Street, Yalding Hill and Lower Road. Boaters were also temporarily banned from going under the bridge.
Meanwhile, Emery was banned from driving for 18 months, fined £560, and ordered to pay £85 court costs and a £56 victim surcharge. He will have to complete a driver rehabilitation course.