Littlehampton Swing Bridge

Built in 1908, the swing bridge was opened on May 27th 1908 by the Duke of Norfolk in his role as Lord Lieutenant of the County, the first time he had assumed this title. It was a grand occasion involving large crowds, hosts of local schoolchildren, bands and flags. The event was recorded on many postcards by local photographers such as John White and Frank Spry. Previously there had been a chain ferry, also well recorded in postcards, but this had been the cause of much delay to travel, and the nearest alternative crossing was the bridge in Arundel. 

The Swing bridge remained in operation until March 1973, when it was replaced for vehicles by a new fixed bridge further upstream,. A retracting footbridge was eventually installed in place of the swing bridge some years later. 

The Littlehampton Story No.2 - The Swing Bridge Story, by H.J.F. Thompson, was published in 1979 and can be found in local secondhand bookshops.

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