John Rowland wrote:
Tom Anderson wrote:
On Tue, 2 Dec 2008, John Rowland wrote:
How about a hand-wound transporter bridge hanging from the fixed bar
of the flood barrier?
APPROVED. Possibly even pedal-powered!

I want one on Dartford Creek too.

There seems to be no fixed bar in the flood barrier there, so it would be
more expensive. And I don't think there are any ships there either, making
it a bit pointless. I don't think a hand-wound chain ferry like the one on
Trowbridge Island, Kingston would work well on a tidal creek. So a standard
bridge would probably be cheaper.


I've often thought that a simple 'transporter bridge' for foot and bikes
could be built using standard components from a tower crane. With modern
electronics (including secure wireless) the contols and interlocks would
be a piece of cake. You don't need it hand wound as a few small wind
turbines, with a few batteries would easily provide the power and would
give less things for people to fiddle with.

I'd suggested a similar arrangement to cross a 'navigable' river
elsewhere, because approach ramps for a fixed span above navigation
level would require expensive long approach spans (an embankment would
not be permitted as it would obstructe flood flows)

Jim Chisholm