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During the 1960's large areas of low-lying Exeter were subjected to annual flooding notably St Thomas. Experts recommended digging two tunnels 3 1/2 miles long and 30 ft in diameter underneath Exeter or re-design the river channel. Rather surprisingly the river channel was re-jigged and Exeter was deprived of the world's first supersonic water flume. A mile long relief channel was dug in 1973 staightening the river and in-filling the leats. Before the scheme was complete though a further torrent in September 1974 demolished Station Road and washed away the bridge spanning the Exe at the time. Two years later the Army lowered the present river bridge into position. It was designed to meet any bridge that is or was subsequently built to replace the current railway level crossing.
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Cricklepit Bridge was designed by David Hubbard and opened on 29th June 1988 as part of the Quayside regeneration scheme
and links the Haven Banks residential scheme with the Quayside.
Mallison Bridge is the wooden bridge over the leat and was opened on 19th September 1984 as part of the quayside regeneration scheme. The small bridge built in 1681 also spanning Lower Leat was built in 1681. The suspension bridge close to Trews Weir was constructed in 1935 to allow workers to cross to Willey's Foundry, it was refurbished in 1991. Willey's engineering Works was closed in 1980. H.F Willey started his original foundry on Shilhay, but moved it to Water Lane on the other side of the river in 1860. He died in 1894 and his son Alfred took over the business. Cowley Bridge stands at an ancient crossing point. A bridge is recorded in 1286. Floods in 1809 and 1810 demolished the old stone bridge and the present structure was built in 1813-14, designed by the county surveyor James Green. The M5 reached Exeter in 1976. Twelve months later, the road was extended over the river, canal and the Exminster Marshes to join the A38 to Plymouth and the A30 to Okehampton and Cornwall. This concrete bridge is big, ugly but an engineering feat nevertheless. See also Exe Island, Flooding, Countess Wear Bridges and Exe Crossing Stuart Callon Copyright ©2004 |
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