Maidstone Bridge & the River Medway

Maidstone Bridge and the River Medway. . The original bridge on this spot was built in the 14th Century and joined the countryside to the town. This superseded the crossing by the ford adjacent to All Saints Church. It formed one of a set of fine bridges over the Medway. Aylesford, East Farleigh and Teston bridges are of a similar date and still survive., Maidstone Bridge , The original bridge was widened in 1808 and again in the 1870s as it had been declared unsafe. It was also inconveniently narrow and too low for barges to pass beneath. The current bridge was built in 1877-79 to the designs of Sir Joseph Bazelgette. It cost £32,000 to build and was officially opened on 6th August 1879, when a public holiday was declared and celebrations were held culminating in a firework display. The Mayor placed a bottle under the topmost stone of the bridge. It contained a commemorative medal, photographs of himself and the corporation, a copy of The Times and local newspapers and a selection of coins. The bridge had to be widened again in 1926., The Riverside , Until recently the banks of the River Medway were crowded with wharves and industrial premises with the exception of the Archbishops Palace and Fairmeadow. River transport was crucial to the town's development and Maidstone's industrial heritage has been reflected along its banks. A new stone quay was built in the 1560s and dredging took place regularly from the early 17th Century, with access being improved to enable barges to get up as far as Tonbridge. By the late 18th Century it was said that the whole of the Weald and some of Sussex received their groceries via Maidstone. In 1834 more than 50 sailing barges were noted as trading from Maidstone carrying hops, paper, fruit, cloth corn, leather, and wool Most trade was with London (it being easier to ship goods by river than overland) but boats also went to France and Holland. River traffic was still considerable in 1900, with a significant number of men listing their trade as sailor in the census. Boats now only ply the river for visitors or sport.