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Newspaper article dated 1927
PROPOSED RIBBLE
BRIDGE RELIEVE ROAD TRAFFIC. Proposals for bridging the Ribble and reducing the distance between South- West Lancashire and the North, have been made on many occasions, and in 1906 a proposal to erect a transporter bridge went so far as to get Parliamentary sanction, but the scheme fell through on account of the cost—over a million and a half. Since then, however, very much greater significance has been added to the proposal by the enormous development of road traffic. Motor vehicles, in Lancashire, going North, must pass through Preston, with the consequence that during the summer season, when there is an enormous road traffic to and from Blackpool, there is almost every week-end a congestion of traffic in the Preston area. It is not uncommon for motorists at weekends, returning from the coast, to take two hours to travel eight miles near Preston. At present there is no alternative route, the first bridge across the Ribble being at Preston. A bridge across the Estuary, just above Lytham, would shorten the distance to a great many of the big Lancashire towns, and relieve the traffic congestion in Preston. Mr. Bennie's scheme is to erect a bridge of about two and a half miles length, commencing near Guides House and proceeding in a straight line to Hesketh Bank. The bridge will have two levels, the lower one for the transport of passengers by the railplane Mr. Bennie's invention--and the higher one a road for motor traffic. At each end there will be approaches which will bring the bridge into direct communication with main roads—on the Lytham side with the Preston-Lytham main road, and on the Southport side with the Preston-Southport main road. The total length across the bridge' and approaches from one road to the other will be abut 3½miles. THE RAILPLANE. The railplane, for which Mr. Bennie holds world patents, is for conveyance of passengers only. The cars are operated by electrically-driven propellers and can give a two and half-minutes' service. The cars will accommodate 50 people and weigh eight tons loaded and four tons unloaded--two tons per axle loaded. They arc suspended from a double rail with a guide rail underneath to eliminate side sway. It is the light loading which makes possible the economical construction costs. Bennie suggests that in the future possible development will be an extension of the railplane service from Blackpool to Southport. To cross the navigable channel of the Ribble the bridge will have a span of 60 feet at a height of 85ft. above high water mark to allow for the passage of vessels up and down the river. The promoters regard 85 feet clearance adequate, being the average of the height of bridges in similar position The Manchester Ship Canal Bridge 72 feet, the proposed Clyde Bridge, Finmeston, 72 feet, and the Forth Bridge 150 feet. NAVIGATION. The height of the clearance is a point which involves the Preston Corporation who are the Ribble Navigation Authority. In the previous scheme (1906) Preston secured a clearance of 181 feet and it is upon this point that a decision will require to be reached, as it affects the cost of the bridge. Mr. Bennie's intention in seeking the co-operation of the local authorities is to secure support when he seeks sanction by Parliamentary Bill or Provisional Order for his scheme. If the proposal is approved by the various local authorities the next step will be the formation of another and separate company to prepare the final drawing take levels and borings and obtain Provisional Order or Bill authorising the construction of the bridge, which will be built by a larger company. The company will receive its revenue from tolls on the motor traffic, and the receipts from the railplane service. The bridge would he the first of its kind the world. Newspaper article dated 1927
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