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A new bridge between Peters Village (Wouldham) and
Snodland was opened on the 15th September 2016.
In Roman times a wooden bridge was known to exist at Rochester
eventually replaced by a stone bridge. Foot crossings
(fords) were the norm as well as the use of ferry boats.
It must be remembered that 2000 years ago the river was very
different. In places it may have split into several
channels forming islands and spread across its flood
plain. The tidal reach is thought to have been at Halling
in Roman times. Over the centuries the tide reached
further up the Medway. There were a series of major floods
leading to innundation of land. By the early l8th century
there is witness that the tidal reach was at East Farleigh
Bridge just prior to the construction of the locks.
Little evidence can be found of crossings although there
certainly would have been many. Fording a river can be
hazardous business even with very little depth of water.
Note sites where churches are located on both sides of the river
usually an indicator of a ford crossing.
Evidence of a ford at Aylesford was uncovered in May 1863 when
the Lower Medway Navigation Company decided to remove 'Walnut
Tree Shoal' about 150 yards above the bridge. Two parallel rows
of large stones were found running across the river.
The iron cemented conglomerate across the river at Snodland
would have been a natural crossing place.
It is thought that by the early 15th century there were four stone
built crossings of the Medway. East Farleigh, Maidstone,
Aylesford and Rochester. All were modified over the years to
accommodate the ever larger boats and increasing road traffic.
Images of the later bridges can be found under Places.
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