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Acton Swing Bridge

by Alec and Val Scaresbrook

This bridge over the River Weaver was built in 1932 and was the first in the country to rest on a floating pontoon. It replaced an older bridge which was sited a few hundred yards upstream. You can see the original abutments on the river banks from the Leigh Arms car park.

The River Weaver was canalised in the 18th century, linking Northwich and Winsford with the sea in order to improve the transport of salt. Before that, salt was moved by road to the nearest navigable part of the river, which is north of here at Frodsham. To begin with, sailing flats were used to move the salt, although they weren't sailed when on the river, but hauled by men on the banks. After a towpath was constructed, horses replaced the men. Once steam barges came into use, more headroom was needed beneath the road bridges, so these were replaced by ones which swung to one side to allow the boats to pass. See the map below