History - Maidstone Bridge

The original bridge on this spot was probably built in the 14^th Century to give more direct access to the commercial heart of the town in the High Street, than the previous crossing by ford adjacent to All Saints Church. It formed one of a set of fine bridges over the Medway of similar date – Aylesford, East Farleigh and Teston bridges. These are still well worth a visit. The original bridge in Maidstone was widened and repaired in 1808, but by the 1870’s 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 designs of Sir Joseph Bazelgette, engineer of the Thames Embankment and the London Sewage System, and lies slightly to the north of the original bridge.  It cost £32,000 to build and was officially opened on 6^th August 1879, when a public holiday was declared, and celebrations were held culminating in a firework display. The Mayor, placed a bottle containing a commemorative medal, photographs of himself and the corporation, a copy of The Times and a local newspaper and a selection of coins under the topmost stone of the bridge.  The bridge had to be widened again in 1926.