A plaque relating to the old Alma Bridge, a historic structure which dated back to the early 1900s, that was damaged during severe flooding in 2012.
A replacement has been built about 40 metres upstream along the River Sid. The old bridge has been removed and a new viewing area created with an information panel to commemorate it.
The information panel reads -
"This information panel has been provided to commemorate and mark the
position of the previous bridges which have been in place here for over 100 years.
A simple wooden footbridge was first erected here in 1855 using
reclaimed timbers from a wrecked vessel on Sidmouth beach. The bridge
was named after the Battle of Alma in the Crimean War, at a Cost of
£26.10s when The Sid Vale Association was given permission by the wife
of the Lord of the Manor of Salcombe Regis.
The bridge had to be repaired in 1877 after it sustained heavy damage
during storms.Then in 1900, Sidmouth Council commissioned architect
Robert William Sampson to design a replacement bridge. This was a
more substantial structure with brick piers and ornate detailing. Some
coping stones and finials from this bridge can be seen above this
reclaimed brick panel.
After 118 years of service, strengthening and repairs, including a
complete deck and parapet replacement, the bridge finally reached the
end of its life. Investigations found that the rock foundations supporting
the bridge piers had deteriorated beyond reasonable repair.
Subsequently the bridge was demolished and replaced by a new bridge
inland designed and funded by Devon County Council in 2020.
This panel was funded with assistance from the Sampson Society and
The Sid Vale Association."
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