Britain remains the undisputed champion of bridge-bashing, even when maritime traffic gets in on the act. There is an almost daily opportunity to report road vehicles becoming wedged under a rail bridge on Britain’s roads. However, a ship barging into a structure is a less expected event. Nevertheless, rail services to the Isle of Sheppey were briefly suspended after a commercial vessel struck the Kingsferry Bridge.
The lifting bridge over the River Medway, which carries the railway and local road traffic to the island just off the coast of Kent in South East England, was hit early on Friday morning (6 June), prompting inspections and disruption to passenger operator Southeastern trains. Services were restored within hours, but not before plenty of tongue-in-cheek commentary had floated ashore.
Rising to the occasion
At around 08:15 local time, the infrastructure agency Network Rail was notified that a commercial boat had collided with the Kingsferry Bridge. The unusual structure (some, such as the boat’s captain, may call it striking) is a vertical-lift structure that spans the River Medway between Sittingbourne and the Isle of Sheppey. The bridge was promptly raised and held open while engineers carried out inspections to ensure its integrity.
Thankfully, the structure was quickly declared safe. “We’re grateful to passengers for their patience while we carried out checks,” said Network Rail. Delays were minimal. Apart from a brief and necessary suspension of the service on the island, only around 25 minutes of delays were reported – hardly even enough to fill in a “delay-repay” form. Southeastern’s temporarily suspending services on the Sheerness Line did of course affect the morning commute. The Isle of Sheppey is a moderately heavily populated commuter enclave. Normal service resumed later the same morning.
Kent’s cantilever classic
The Kingsferry Bridge is no ordinary piece of civil engineering. Dating from the mid-20th century, this seven-span combination road-and-rail bridge features a central lift span to allow shipping on the River Medway to pass beneath (or sometimes not). It was superseded in 2006 by the higher-level Sheppey Crossing for road traffic, but the Kingsferry Bridge remains in daily use for both rail and local vehicles – and occasional nautical mishaps.
The bridge is a rare survivor in Britain, a vertical-lift span still in operational railway use. It plays a critical role in connecting the Isle of Sheppey to the mainland, making Friday’s unexpected marine encounter more than just a nautical curiosity.
Sheerness is a port with freight ambitions
The Sheerness end of the line serves a station adjacent to one of the UK’s more under appreciated maritime assets. The Port of Sheerness, operated by Peel Ports and branded as part of the wider Port of Medway, sits strategically on the Thames Estuary. It has seen growing shortsea activity. WorldCargo News recently reported a new weekly service launched last September by Finnlines, linking the port with Finland, Belgium, Spain and Ireland. The port is characterised by its handling of a large volume of automotive vehicles.
Although the port does not currently handle rail freight, the potential remains. Peel Ports has acknowledged that rail connectivity could be revived in the future, particularly as demand grows for decarbonised hinterland transport options. The strategic location and growing maritime activity make Sheerness a site to watch. There is no current physical rail link into the port, and any revival would require new or reinstated trackwork. The line on Sheppey is a single-track branch line with limited train paths, so slotting in freight to the existing half-hourly passenger shuttle to Sittingbourne would be a logistical challenge.
Isle of Sheppey has freight potential
The Sheerness Line today is a passenger-only service terminating at Sheerness-on-Sea (operated by Southeastern). Historically, however, the island once hosted more extensive rail infrastructure, supporting a variety of industries – including a now-defunct electric arc furnace steelworks, which was built adjacent to the station. Sheppey is also at the heart of Kent’s historic beer brewing industry – hinted at by the neighbouring Isle of Grain, which retains freight tracks, mainly for the aggregates industry. Legacy sidings and rights-of-way hint at the freight potential that may yet return to the island.
The ship’s master was interviewed by local police. While Friday’s bridge bash didn’t knock freight back into motion, it did serve to highlight the enduring relevance of this curious corner of the railway map. With a bridge that lifts, a port on the rise, and a line with more to give, Sheppey’s rail story is far from over – just occasionally interrupted by an overambitious boat captain.