Bridgemarsh Island
| Bridgemarsh Island | |
 The creek wth Bridgemarsh Island to the left | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°38’18"N, 0°44’6"E |
| Grid reference: | TQ889968 |
| Data | |
Bridgemarsh Island lies in the tidal part of the River Crouch in Essex, three miles upstream of Burnham-on-Crouch. The main river channel runs to the south between the island and Canewdon, and it is separated from the mainland to the north by Bridgemarsh and Althorne Creeks, channels of the estuary.
Following a flood in 1736 Bridgemarsh Island was enclosed by a sea wall and a causeway was built giving access at low tide.
Farming was supplemented by industry with the island used as a source of clay. This led to the construction of a brickworks of which the chimney (at TQ890967) survives. A tramway linked these works to a quay that was used by Thames barges. Shortsightedly, no serious effort was made to maintain the sea wall. The North Sea flood of 1953 caused the end of regular occupation of the island, which is now a haven for wildlife and salt marsh flowers. It is owned by the Bridgemarsh Island Trust.
Outside links
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Bridgemarsh Island) |