Monk Bretton Bridge

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File:Monk Bretton Bridge (geograph 3114442).jpg

The Monk Bretton Bridge is a road bridge over the River Rother in Rye, East Sussex. It carries the A259 road, a major road between Folkestone and Hastings, and is the most downstream crossing of the river.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.co.uk/maps?q=monk+bretton+bridge+rye&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjX_NT82dTXAhUFYVAKHff3BYIQ_AUICigB|title=Monk Bretton Bridge, Rye|publisher=Google Maps|access-date=23 November 2017}} The area around the river beyond this resembles saltmarsh compared to that further upstream.{{cite report|url=http://www.shepway.gov.uk/webapp/lydd-airport/Proofs%20and%20Inquiry%20docs/NE/NE3%20-%20Dear/NE-3-E/NE_3_E_Appendix%202%20Departmental%20brief%20for%20the%20pSPA%20and%20pRamsar%20submitted%20120510.pdf|page=11|title=Proposed extensions to and change of name of the Dungeness to Pett Level Special Protection Area and a proposed new Ramsar site|publisher=Nautral England|date=May 2010|access-date=27 February 2018}}

The bridge was planned as a replacement for a ferry over the river that carried fisherman traffic from Camber and East Guldeford to the fish market at Rye.{{cite book|title=Rye and Around From Old Photographs|first=Alan|last=Dickinson|page=63|publisher=Amberley|year=2016|isbn=978-1-445-65900-8}} It opened on 25 April 1893 at a cost of £3,160 (£{{inflation|UK|3160|1893|fmt=c|r=-3}} as of {{inflation-year|UK}}) and was named after John George Dodson, 1st Baron Monk Bretton. The bridge was constructed by a deck supported on two sets of iron piles.{{cite journal|url=http://ryesown.co.uk/the-monkbretton-road-bridge/|title=The Monkbretton Road Bridge|first=Laurie|last=Cooksey|journal=Rye's Own|access-date=23 November 2017}} It was later reinforced with concrete.{{cite web |url=http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/43f965c7-5424-43fb-a4eb-53ab2e2f8ce1|title=Monk Bretton Bridge, Rye|id=C/C/64/50|website=The National Archives |type=Catalogue record}}

The Rye and Camber Tramway opened in 1895, with the Rye station located east of the River Rother. It did not connect to the main railway line (now the Marshlink line); instead passengers travelled between the two stations via the Monk Bretton Bridge.{{cite book|title=The Popular Illustrated Guide to Rye, Winchelsea, and Neighbourhood|author=J.L. Deacon|page=68|year=1897}}

The bridge was closed in October 2007 for refurbishment, involving lengthy detours.{{cite news|url=http://www.ryeandbattleobserver.co.uk/news/rye-bridge-closed-for-whole-of-october-1-1384153|title=Rye bridge closed for whole of October|newspaper=Rye and Battle Observer|date=30 September 2007|access-date=23 November 2017}}