The official opening of the Adur Ferry Bridge in November 2013. Pictures: Stephen GoodgerThe official opening of the Adur Ferry Bridge in November 2013. Pictures: Stephen Goodger
The official opening of the Adur Ferry Bridge in November 2013. Pictures: Stephen Goodger

Archive pictures show Duke of Gloucester officially opening new swing bridge

Thousands of people crossed the new Adur Ferry Bridge in Shoreham for the first time on Wednesday, November 13, 2013, after it was officially opened to the public. The Duke of Gloucester unveiled the bridge’s name plaque in front of a packed crowd at Coronation Green. He said: “It is a great honour for me to come to Shoreham on this beautiful sunny day and have the very pleasant task of declaring your new Adur Ferry Bridge open. Clearly it is an important part of the infrastructure to this town and to the beach. I am sure it will be greatly admired by the tourists who come here to enjoy the benefits of Shoreham.”

The swing bridge had been opened for the ceremony and the Duke then pressed the button to close it, before leading the throng of people over to Shoreham Beach. He was greeted by a gathering of schoolchildren and he spoke briefly to a few of the youngsters before making his farewells and climbing into his waiting car. Adur Ferry Bridge, which crosses the harbour to connect Shoreham town centre and Shoreham Beach, is for pedestrians, cyclists and mobility scooter users to use. Built by West Sussex County Council contractor Osborne, it replaced the old Shoreham footbridge, which spanned the River Adur for 91 years. The project was funded by West Sussex County Council, The Big Lottery Fund, cycling charity Sustrans and Adur District Council.

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