Walton Bridge – Mort's Riverwatch

Sunk by the recession?

10/10/201318/01/2014Mort SmithComment(0)

My brother and I took Terra Nova out for a last jaunt of the season on Saturday. One thing that struck me as we wended our way along was the number of boats that look as though they have been abandoned.

Ack-ack attack: The journey home from a dance at the Walton Playhouse in September 1940 proved quite hairy for Jimmy, left, and Billy Brant, but fortunately they lived to tell the tale.

History Local people

Bombing of the bridge

18/07/201326/01/2014Mort SmithComment(0)

But brothers Billy and Jeremy and their brave young aunt were undaunted by German pilot’s attack

Not missed: Boat skippers will be delighted to see the back of the old bridges whose supporting piers made navigating around the bend in the river a tricky business.

Recent developments

Bridge tops out as boats pass under

11/07/201326/01/2014Mort SmithComment(0)

Today’s the day for the final ‘topping out’ ceremony at the new Walton Bridge – and thanks to the organisational efforts of our local boat clubs, there will be a sail past to mark the event along with a number of other events.

Recent developments

New bridge, ancient mates

04/07/201329/12/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I haven’t written about the progress on the construction of the new river crossing at Walton for a while and I just wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate the builders and Surrey County Council for the impressive way the building work has gone.

Events History

Got lock and lane woes? Take a different tack…

16/05/201317/01/2014Mort SmithComment(0)

Following on from last week’s Riverwatch in which I outlined an idea for closing off Walton Lane at the Walton Bridge end that was put forward by Doug Myers from Weybridge, I’ve had a note from Nick Pollard, the chairman of the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society.

Recent developments

Let’s go back to the future

09/05/201328/12/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Block off river crossing at Walton Lane to traffic — there was no link in the ’50s, says resident Doug Myers

Recent developments

Lock keeper cost cuts in the spotlight

11/04/201329/12/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

I was rather encouraged to see that a London MP had put down an Early Day Motion to bring the vexed question of the future of resident lock keepers on the non-tidal Thames into the public spotlight.

Terra Nova on her trailer measures 35-feet in length; add the length of the towing vehicle and getting her out of the tight turn at the access road will be an interesting experience

Recent developments

Road will drive us round the bend – or not

21/03/201329/12/2013Mort SmithComment(0)

Now here’s a dilemma. I’ve been a staunch supporter of the plans for a new bridge in Walton ever since the idea was first mooted. I urged Surrey County Council to stop faffing about and get on with it.