Campaign to restore ‘historic’ Yapton bridge in time for 200th anniversary

Burndell Bridge, which is located between Downview Road and Navigation Drive, dates back to 1823 when an active canal joined Ford to Portsmouth.

Andrew Saunders, who lives close by and became interested in the bridge after stumbling across it on a walk with his daughter, said the establishment of the canal was a significant moment for the village, which had until that point been a small agricultural community.

“It pretty much put Yapton on the map,” he said.

The bridge before it became overgrown. Photo by Yapton History Society

Gold bullion and ammunition were among the goods transported on barges along the canal, which had only ‘a short life’, Mr Saunders said.

After the railway came along, the canal was no longer used and the bridge was left forgotten.

At the moment it is so overgrown that it cannot be crossed, and while you can walk under the bridge, Mr Saunders said it was ‘really muddy and uneven’.

He wants to see it restored as ‘a monument’ and a proud piece of local history, while also creating a useable pathway underneath linking Navigation Drive to Downview Road, which would be accessible for wheelchair users, dog walkers and families.

The surrounding area would also be managed to encourage wildlife.

While people have been attempting to save the bridge since 1949, Mr Saunders, who works at Sainsbury’s, has revived efforts by launching The Burndell Bridge Society.

There has already been a lot of enthusiasm from community groups and residents.

“I’m surprised but pleased there’s so much interest,” he said.

“I think the timing might have been good. People have had a shift in their interests because of Covid... A lot of people like to walk the footpath.”

The bridge is part of Emerald Gardens and Mr Saunders said he was hoping to speak with residents about moving the plans forward.

He hopes to see the bridge restored by 2023, exactly two centuries after it was built.

Anyone interested in contributing to the project or keeping up to date with its development should join The Burndell Bridge Society on Facebook.

Mr Saunders is also keen for anyone with photos or paintings of the bridge and canal to get in touch.