List of bridges in Cambridge

The following is a list and brief history of the bridges in Cambridge, England, principally those over the River Cam.

The River Cam enters Cambridge from the south west of the city and heads north past many of the historic colleges of the University of Cambridge along the open area known as The Backs. After passing St John's College, it turns sharply and runs east, passing the weir at Jesus Green and the boathouses alongside Midsummer Common. Passing Chesterton, it turns north again and leaves the city, running a further 12 mi (19 km) before merging with the Great Ouse at Pope's Corner to the south of Ely.

Bridges over the River Cam (south to north)

Footbridge, Coe Fen

Links Coe Fen behind The Leys School over a second small bridge to Lammas Land, near the area known as Hobson's Paradise. Also known as Sheep's Green bridge, it was closed in the second quarter of 2006 to replace the steps with ramps to make it easier for cyclists and prams to cross. The bridge decking was also replaced.^{map 1}

Fen Causeway Bridge

The first road bridge that is reached as the river enters the city. The road was formally opened on 9 December 1926.^{[1]map 2} The bridge is sometimes called the "Lesbian Bridge", from the nature of the graffiti sometimes written on its underside.

Crusoe Bridge

A footbridge linking Sheep's Green and Coe Fen, and the final bridge on the 'Upper River' before it reaches the small weir at the mill pond.^{map 3}

Darwin College Bridges

Two wooden bridges within the college grounds connecting the main site with the college's two islands.^{map 4}

Silver Street Bridge (1958)

The site of bridges back to the 14th century. This wide bridge was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1932.^{map 5}

Mathematical Bridge, Queens' College (1902)

The Mathematical Bridge

This is the third version of the design, first built in 1749.^{map 6}

King's College Bridge (1819)

The first bridge on the site was built in the 15th century, and has been rebuilt several times before the current incarnation, designed by William Wilkins and built by Francis Braidwood.^{map 7}

Clare College Bridge (1640)

Clare Bridge

The oldest of Cambridge's current bridges, this bridge in classical style was built in 1639–40 by Thomas Grumbold (d.1659)^[2] It survives as the oldest due to all its contemporaries being destroyed by the Parliamentarian forces in the Civil War, to make the town of Cambridge more defensible. Many different stories are told to explain the missing section of the globe second from the left on the south side of the bridge. One rumour is that the builder of the bridge received (what he considered to be) insufficient payment, and in his anger, removed a segment of the globe; another is that complete bridges were subject to a tax at the time it was built, and the missing segment made the bridge incomplete and hence untaxed.^{map 8}

Garret Hostel Bridge (1960)

At least the eighth bridge on this site on Garret Hostel Lane between the colleges of Trinity and Trinity Hall. The current design is by T. G. Morgan.^{map 9}

Students of the University of Cambridge often refer to this bridge as Orgasm Bridge,^[3][4] with a possible explanation for the name: its relative steepness causes cyclists much effort to reach the top but this is followed by the pleasurable descent.

Trinity College Bridge (1764)

Designed by James Essex, it replaced a stone bridge built in 1651.^{map 10}

Kitchen Bridge, St John's College (1709-11)

The second oldest of Cambridge's remaining bridges, built by Robert Grumbold (1639-1720) according to designs by Sir Christopher Wren. The bridge was crafted from a single block of limestone, carved to give the appearance of masonry. ^{map 11}

Bridge of Sighs, St John's College (1831)

The Bridge of Sighs

Probably Cambridge's best-known bridge, designed by Henry Hutchinson and based on a similarly named bridge in Venice, although the only real similarity between them is that they are both covered bridges over waterways.^{map 12}. A bridge in Oxford, also nicknamed "The Bridge of Sighs" but more reminiscent of the Rialto Bridge, links two sites of Hertford College, but it bridges New College Lane rather than a river or canal.

Magdalene Bridge (1823)

Magdalene Bridge viewed from the boardwalk near Quayside, with the tower of St John's College New Court in the background.

Named after Magdalene College, which stands nearby. It is very close to the location of the Roman ford (around 40 AD), and the location of the first bridge in Cambridge (probably built by Offa in the 8th century).^{map 13}

The latest bridge was designed by Arthur Browne in Gothic revival style and was rebuilt in the same style in 1982.

Jesus Lock footbridge (1892)

An iron bridge over the weir that divides the 'Middle River' from the 'Lower River', where punting gives way to rowing.^{map 14}

Victoria Avenue Bridge (1890)

Allowed the residents of Chesterton easy access to the city for the first time. The foundation stone was laid by Frederic Wace, mayor of Cambridge, on 4 November 1889 and the bridge was officially opened by Wace on 11 December 1890.^[1] The bridge was rebuilt for strengthening in 1992.^{map 15}

Footbridge, Midsummer Common

Also known as the "Fort St George" footbridge after the neighbouring public house. This bridge is now open for use by cyclists.^{map 16}

Cutter Ferry Bridge

A pedestrian and cycle bridge that links Cutter Ferry Lane with Midsummer Common. The original footbridge was closed in 2003 after over 75 years of service, and removed during December 2004. The replacement, over which cyclists may now legally cycle, was opened on 20 May 2005.^{map 17}

Also known by Cambridge residents as Pye's Bridge because of the one-time nearby Pye electronics factory, and by student rowers as Emma Bridge because of its proximity to Emmanuel College Boathouse.^[5]

Elizabeth Way Bridge (1971)

A plain four-carriageway concrete bridge, opened by Lord Butler in his capacity as High Steward of Cambridge on 13 July 1971,^[1] this is Cambridge's most recent road bridge. The opening caused a few minutes of embarrassment when Lord Butler's golden scissors failed to cut the ribbon across the road.^{map 18} The bridge forms part of Elizabeth Way (A1134).

Riverside Bridge (2008)

Riverside Bridge

Construction work began on a new foot and cycle bridge between Chesterton and Riverside in April 2007. It opened to the public on 5 June 2008.^{[6]map 18a}

Footbridge, Stourbridge Common

Known to locals as the "Green Dragon Bridge" after the pub opposite its northern end. Also known to student rowers as 'Chesterton Footbridge' as it crosses over what they know as 'Chesterton Corner'.^{map 19}

Railway Bridge

Crosses the river through east Chesterton, south of the A14 bridge. It is the third railway bridge to be built on this site, replacing a plain plate girder bridge which stood on the site between 1870 and 1930, which itself replaced a wooden bridge built in 1846.^{map 20}

A14 Bridge

Known (incorrectly) to rowers and others as the "Motorway Bridge". Crosses the river just south of Baits Bite Lock. This bridge is also sometimes referred to as 'Bovis Bridge'.^{map 21}

Footbridge over the weir, Baits Bite Lock

An elevated footbridge crosses Baits Bite Lock in Milton to a narrow islet. A concrete-arch footbridge then crosses the weir to the east bank near Horningsea.^{map 22}

Other bridges

Deck of Jane Coston cycle bridge between Milton and Cambridge.

• The Tony Carter bridge is a covered cycle bridge over the railway just north of Cambridge railway station opened in 1989. It was listed at the time in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's longest covered cycle bridge. It is named after a Labour councillor of the era.^{map 23}
• The Jane Coston bridge was opened over the A14 in 2004, allowing cyclists and pedestrians to cross from Cowley Road to Milton. It has a central span of 77 m (253 ft).^{[7]map 24}
• Coldham's Lane bridge is a cycle and pedestrian bridge over the railway on the south side of Coldham's Lane. It is not a particularly effective route for cyclists, especially those travelling south east.^{[8]map 25}
• The Newmarket Road Bridge,^{map 26} the Mill Road Bridge^{map 27} near Cambridge Station, the Hills Road Bridge^{map 28} and the Long Road Bridge are other bridges over the railway.^{map 29}
• Cambridgeshire Guided Busway: A14 bridge, Hills Road Bridge, Long Road Bridge, Shelford Road Bridge and Hauxton Road Bridge on usurped former railway lines, plus a new Addenbrooke's Bridge leading over the railway line to the hospital.

See also

• List of bridges in the United Kingdom

Mapping

Map of all coordinates from Google Map of all coordinates from Bing
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Place data as RDF

^ Footbridge, Coe Fen, 52°11′42.95″N 000°06′58.85″E / 52.1952639°N 0.1163472°E / 52.1952639; 0.1163472 (Footbridge, Coe Fen) ^ Fen Causeway Bridge, 52°11′50.76″N 000°07′06.15″E / 52.1974333°N 0.118375°E / 52.1974333; 0.118375 (Fen Causeway Bridge) ^ Crusoe Bridge, 52°11′53.55″N 000°07′03.95″E / 52.1982083°N 0.1177639°E / 52.1982083; 0.1177639 (Crusoe Bridge) ^ Darwin College Bridges, 52°12′02.83″N 000°06′51.72″E / 52.2007861°N 0.1143667°E / 52.2007861; 0.1143667 (Darwin College Bridges) ^ Silver Street Bridge, 52°12′06.77″N 000°06′55.27″E / 52.2018806°N 0.1153528°E / 52.2018806; 0.1153528 (Silver Street Bridge) ^ Mathematical Bridge, 52°12′07.87″N 000°06′54.15″E / 52.2021861°N 0.1150417°E / 52.2021861; 0.1150417 (Mathematical Bridge) ^ King's College Bridge, 52°12′13.55″N 000°06′50.78″E / 52.2037639°N 0.1141056°E / 52.2037639; 0.1141056 (King's College Bridge) ^ Clare College Bridge, 52°12′17.96″N 000°06′50.77″E / 52.2049889°N 0.1141028°E / 52.2049889; 0.1141028 (Clare College Bridge) ^ Garret Hostel Bridge, 52°12′21.02″N 000°06′50.34″E / 52.2058389°N 0.1139833°E / 52.2058389; 0.1139833 (Garret Hostel Bridge) ^ Trinity College Bridge, 52°12′23.94″N 000°06′49.97″E / 52.20665°N 0.1138806°E / 52.20665; 0.1138806 (Trinity College Bridge) ^ Kitchen Bridge, 52°12′29.00″N 000°06′56.31″E / 52.20806°N 0.1156417°E / 52.20806; 0.1156417 (Kitchen Bridge) ^ Bridge of Sighs, 52°12′30.33″N 000°06′56.76″E / 52.208425°N 0.1157667°E / 52.208425; 0.1157667 (Bridge of Sighs) ^ Magdalene Bridge, 52°12′35.43″N 000°06′59.52″E / 52.2098417°N 0.1165333°E / 52.2098417; 0.1165333 (Magdalene Bridge) ^ Jesus Lock footbridge, 52°12′46.28″N 000°07′14.30″E / 52.2128556°N 0.120639°E / 52.2128556; 0.120639 (Jesus Lock footbridge)

^ Victoria Avenue Bridge, 52°12′47.98″N 000°07′32.53″E / 52.2133278°N 0.1257028°E / 52.2133278; 0.1257028 (Victoria Avenue Bridge) ^ Footbridge, Midsummer Common, 52°12′44.65″N 000°07′42.25″E / 52.2124028°N 0.1284028°E / 52.2124028; 0.1284028 (Footbridge, Midsummer Common) ^ Cutter Ferry Bridge, 52°12′37.41″N 000°08′03.81″E / 52.2103917°N 0.1343917°E / 52.2103917; 0.1343917 (Cutter Ferry Bridge) ^ Elizabeth Way Bridge, 52°12′40.03″N 000°08′12.24″E / 52.2111194°N 0.1367333°E / 52.2111194; 0.1367333 (Elizabeth Way Bridge) ^ Riverside Bridge, 52°12′48″N 000°08′34.25″E / 52.21333°N 0.1428472°E / 52.21333; 0.1428472 (Riverside Bridge) ^ Footbridge, Stourbridge Common, 52°13′02.72″N 000°08′45.35″E / 52.2174222°N 0.1459306°E / 52.2174222; 0.1459306 (Footbridge, Stourbridge Common) ^ Railway Bridge, 52°13′12.84″N 000°09′23.15″E / 52.2202333°N 0.1564306°E / 52.2202333; 0.1564306 (Railway Bridge) ^ A14 Bridge, 52°13′56.56″N 000°10′16.27″E / 52.2323778°N 0.1711861°E / 52.2323778; 0.1711861 (A14 Bridge) ^ Footbridge over the weir, Baits Bite Lock, 52°14′11.03″N 000°10′28.23″E / 52.2363972°N 0.1745083°E / 52.2363972; 0.1745083 (Footbridge over the weir, Baits Bite Lock) ^ Tony Carter bridge, 52°11′45.04″N 000°08′20.94″E / 52.1958444°N 0.13915°E / 52.1958444; 0.13915 (Tony Carter bridge) ^ Jane Coston bridge, 52°14′11.86″N 000°09′21.20″E / 52.2366278°N 0.155889°E / 52.2366278; 0.155889 (Jane Coston bridge) ^ Coldham's Lane bridge, 52°12′25.65″N 000°08′49.65″E / 52.207125°N 0.147125°E / 52.207125; 0.147125 (Coldham's Lane bridge) ^ Newmarket Road Bridge, 52°12′48.86″N 000°09′06.35″E / 52.2135722°N 0.1517639°E / 52.2135722; 0.1517639 (Newmarket Road Bridge) ^ Mill Road Bridge, 52°11′55.22″N 000°08′27.56″E / 52.1986722°N 0.1409889°E / 52.1986722; 0.1409889 (Mill Road Bridge) ^ Hills Road Bridge, 52°11′26.40″N 000°08′06.19″E / 52.190667°N 0.1350528°E / 52.190667; 0.1350528 (Hills Road Bridge) ^ Long Road Bridge, 52°10′46.54″N 000°07′50.45″E / 52.1795944°N 0.1306806°E / 52.1795944; 0.1306806 (Long Road Bridge)

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} Plaque on bridge
2. ^ About Clare: History from Clare College's website, retrieved 25 June 2007
3. ^ May Week 2004 Game News - Day 4
4. ^ Best Cambridge College - Page 2 - The Student Room
5. ^ Image of Cutter Ferry Bridge
6. ^ "Riverside foot and cycle bridge". Cambridgeshire County Council. Archived from the original on 2008-04-18. http://web.archive.org/web/20080418140815/http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/transport/projects/cambridge/riversidebridge/. Retrieved 2008-06-05. 
7. ^ "Jane Coston Cycle bridge : a model for managing vibration". Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. 2006. http://cat.inist.fr/?aModele=afficheN&cpsidt=17984335. 
8. ^ "Newsletter 56". Cambridge Cycling Campaign. http://www.camcycle.org.uk/newsletters/56/article8.html.