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Rochester Bridge Trust Begins Restoration Work

The Rochester Bridge Trust is currently undertaking restoration works of the Kent peg tile roof and the Victorian Burt & Potts metal frame windows of the Bridge Chamber at 5, Esplanade, Rochester. The project commenced on 6th August 2012 and is expected to take ten weeks to complete with anticipated cost to the Trust in the region of £100,000 + VAT.

Records held by the Rochester Bridge Trust suggest that this is the first time such a substantial restoration of the exterior fabric of the building has been undertaken since it was constructed in 1879. Both roof and windows have lasted exceptionally well, given the exposed location of the Bridge Chamber close to the salt water of the River Medway, but these elements of the building are now in need of major repair.

Helen Corbett, Chief Finance Officer, said, “The Trust has acknowledged its responsibilities as guardian of this historic listed building and through the work being done is protecting the building for generations to come.”

Smiths Gore, who act as Property Surveyor to the Trust, have been appointed to take the role of Design and Contract Administrator, and John Williams & Company are the selected main contractor. GEP Safety Consultants are fulfilling the Construction, Design and Management (CDM) Consultant role.

Notes:

1. The Rochester Bridge Trust is a charitable trust that exists to maintain the old and new bridges at Rochester and serve the travelling public. It is the only surviving bridge trust still serving its original purpose, and it has served the people of Kent since 1399. The Trust also supports numerous community and education projects across historic Kent and Medway.

2. The Trust’s assets all derive from endowments of land and money in the 14th and 15th centuries and are carefully managed in order to provide an income to fund bridge maintenance and local charitable grants. The Trust receives no external funding and is regulated by the Charity Commission.

For more information:

The Rochester Bridge Trust
5 Esplanade
Rochester
Kent ME1 1QE
Tel: 01634 846706
Fax: 01634 840125

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