Levelled to make way for the flyover

JULY 1972 seems only yesterday to some of us 'oldies' and much happened to Newhaven from that date onwards, certainly a time of decisions.

Our picture reminds us of the approaching period when our town would boast a flyover.

Now that really was something; no more waiting for level crossing barriers near the railway station.

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Not so long before, actual gates were opened and closed by the man in the signal box operating a large wheel which he wound round and round. He had to be sure the road was clear '“ there were no flashing lights or ringing bells to give advance warning of his actions.

Still the gates open and close on the old road, but the major traffic flows above without bother until it reaches the swing bridge, when it might get 'caught'. After that, meeting Southway is a pretty certain slowdown and then the following two pedestrian crossings tend to keep things in reasonable control. This is east to west, and things are similar the other way.

So back to the picture. Denton Terrace and the Railway Hotel are about to be levelled to the ground to allow for this flyover.

They were already on a little bit of road just north of the A259, a cul de sac to the North Quay and then passing through the car park of the hotel to join the road near to the crossing gates.

Even in the photo, one is looking over cars and a caravan.

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This had been the old river bank, before the first swing bridge and the artificial cut of the North Quay.

In other words, if one crossed the Ouse at the wooden drawbridge at the bottom of the High Street, turned right on the other side, walking past Sefton Terrace, now Fludes Carpets, one would have reached Denton Terrace without crossing any water and straight down The Drove to Seaford.

In this area was Penants Eye, a backwater where the swirl of the river as it bent towards the sea created a marshy area, which no doubt was filled in at the time of the first swing bridge and the cut made for North Quay.

It would be interesting to know how the latter was achieved. To leave a dam either end and dig a massive trench, using the spoil to raise the land level of the North Quay seems most probable. Release the dams and let the dredgers of the time do the rest ...

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What was achieved with the equipment of those times was truly amazing. The museum has some records of building the first swing bridge; that is most fascinating about what was done and how.

Back to the photo again. There was a fourth house (nearer) in the terrace and we also have a poster record of a boxing competition in the yard of the hotel.

Far right is the Drove Garage on the far side of Railway Road. To the south of it had been the roller skating/dance hall '“ memories of wartime troops and happy local girls!

PETER BAILEY

Peter Bailey is curator of the Newhaven Local and Maritime Museum based in its own fascinating premises in the grounds of Paradise Park in Avis Road, Newhaven. Winter opening hours are 2-5pm Saturdays and Sundays or by arrangement. Admission 1 (accompanied children free). Contact the curator on 01273 514760. Log on to the website at www.newhavenmuseum.co.uk

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