Work progresses on the Colvin Bridge

The photograph, from 1930, shows work being carried out to build the Benfleet/Canvey bridge.

The bridge, known as the Colvin Bridge (named after Brigadier Colvin who drove the first pile for the building work) would officially open in 1931.

The opening day was a public holiday and children and their families crowded the area to follow the cars and members of the Canvey Chamber of Commerce across the newly opened bridge.

The bridge – which crossed Benfleet Creek – was funded by Canvey Urban District Council and the Ministry of Transport and cost £20,000 to complete.

Prior to construction of the Colvin opening bridge people had to use a ferry and stepping stones at low tide to get from Benfleet to Canvey and back.

The Colvin bridge was demolished in 1973 and a replacement bridge which is still used today was built alongside it.

The above article appeared in the Echo newspaper on Thursday November 28, 2019 and is reproduced with their kind permission.