Today (April 20) marks the 60th anniversary of the distinctive Kingsferry Bridge, which links the Isle of Sheppey with mainland Kent, being opened by the Duchess of Kent on 20 Apr, 1960. At the time it was the largest lifting bridge built in Britain since the Second World War. There is only one other similar design in the world based in Holland. The towers are linked by an eight-feet high service tunnel dug under the surface which carries an 18-inch water main, a 12-inch gas main and telephone cables. The centre span lift for shipping and boats, but permission must first be obtained by the bridge operator from Network Rail. Footage at the end of the video shows the bridge being lowed on March 9.

In 2006, the infamous Sheppey Crossing was opened, but Kingsferry was retained for rail and road traffic. A generator is currently in situ for lifting the centre span, as the original power system needs a replacement part that is proving difficult to source!