| From an offhand remark in the SABRE Chat Room grew an idea.........
The M2 Medway Bridge has a cycle/footpath across it next to the coastbound carraigeway on the 1963 bridge. Today I walked the Medway Bridge and photographed it from all angles. If you wish to do the same (the general views are superb) then it is best to park on the unclassified road on the Borstal side. The Medway Bridge opened in 1963 and carried the D2M M2 (plus a footpath) across the River Medway. The original bridge has recently gained two 'friends'. Firstly (but not by much) came the high-speed railway (Channel Tunnel Rail Link) bridge in 2002, and following very shortly afterwards came the second M2 bridge in 2004 with the widening of the M2 between J1 & J4. The original bridge carries the D4 coastbound carriageway, plus a cycle and footpath. The new M2 bridge carries the londonbound carraigeway. |
Wouldham Road in Borstal, Kent. A very unassuming motorway bridge passes over the road. This is where we park the car and begin the exploration. 800x600 Medway__01_.jpg |
Just by the overbridge is a cycle/footpath leading in the direction of the River Medway 800x600 Medway__02_.jpg |
Although approaching the river valley we are gradually climbing; a bit like a slip road, in fact! 800x600 Medway__03_.jpg |
The trees on the left give way to fence with the sounds of heavy traffic behind it 800x600 Medway__04_.jpg |
Just as the fence ends. We look down to the right and see the valley sides falling away and a huge bridge stretching across the valley ahead of us 600x800 Medway__05_.jpg |
Looking to the left. Hang on, there's a motorway there. 4 lanes of traffic speed past on their way coastbound. 800x600 Medway__06_.jpg |
Definately a motorway on the other side of the fence. D4M to be precise 600x800 Medway__07_.jpg |
The valley sides fall away from the bridge revealing spectacular views towards Rochester 800x600 Medway__08_.jpg |
The divided cycle/footpath stretches across to the other side of the valley. The cycle path is a national route, and the footpath forms part of the North Downs Way (long distance footpath). 600x800 Medway__09_.jpg |
Beside the path behind a small fence and wind barrier is the coastbound M2 800x600 Medway__10_.jpg |
The coast-side expansion joint 600x800 Medway__11_.jpg |
The M2 revealed from the path beside it running across the Medway Bridge 800x600 Medway__12_.jpg |
