Railway Bridge Over River Bure

The Railway Bridge over the River Bure, built in 1879 for the Great Eastern Railway, is a notable structure designed by William Waddell. This bridge features a cast-iron and steel construction with three spans supported by paired cast-iron columns. Two pairs of these columns are cross-braced to each pier, and the pier bases have been extended with modern concrete to create cutwaters. Above, riveted steel girders and cross girders provide structural support. Cantilevered brackets on either side carry walkways with tubular railings. This bridge is an early and well-preserved example of a transitional design, utilizing steel for the tension elements while retaining cast-iron for the compression columns.

Historically, the Bure valley line of the Great Eastern Railway was constructed between 1878 and 1880, with this section opening on January 1, 1880. Although the line ceased passenger services in 1952 and freight services in 1982, it was revived in 1990 as a 15-inch steam railway known as the Bure Valley Railway.