River Crossings
The most likely first crossing would have been a ford across the then tidal river. Ferries plied across the river for many centuries. The first bridge was built about 500 years ago. The early bridges would be wooden.
The stone bridge (right) was destroyed in a storm in 1852 and replaced by a structure with a swing section at the far end to allow tall boats through. The present bridge was opened in 1940, a little upstream of the earlier crossings.
