Fremington bridge
Fremington bridge
![The girder spans are supported on pairs of braced tubular columns.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-293.jpg)
![High water mark is clearly visible on the piers.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-293.jpg)
![Looking over the deep water channel towards Fremington Station.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-293.jpg)
![The curved structure was built for a single line.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-290.jpg)
![The tidal channel must have created substantial challenges during construction of the bridge.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-285.jpg)
![Even when the line was open, foot traffic was accommodated.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-275.jpg)
![The view towards Fremington Quay, its good yard, the station (now rebuilt) and signal box.](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-259.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image1-293.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image2-293.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image3-293.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image4-290.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image5-285.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image6-275.jpg)
![](http://www.forgottenrelics.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/image7-259.jpg)
In 1848, the Taw Vale Railway & Dock Company opened a short line to Fremington Quay which had become an important transportation hub for goods. It was extended six miles to Bideford in 1855, crossing Fremington Pill on a curved iron bridge of nine spans supported on piers comprising pairs of braced, tubular columns.
The single line faired better than most, serving freight trains until 1982. The bridge’s tracks sat idle for five years before being salvaged. It is now crossed by the Tarka Trail, a path following the North Devon coast along the old trackbed.