Early 20th century road bridge, 'Goldhanger Roadbridge', Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation (EHER 40183)

Also known as Wave Bridge. An early 20th century steel girder, brick and stone road bridge. The bridge was altered in the summer of 1940 with rows of drilled holes designed to receive explosive charges to destroy the bridge in the event of an imminent German attack. Summary from record 20285: Demolition Charge Holes

1998-2001. Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation survey. Bridge. Red brick abutments with stone copings, steel girder, steel parapet with circular plaque 'Essex County Council 1910'. Towpath passes under bridge on north bank. <1> 1999. World War Two Defences in Maldon survey: site visit and desktop research. Wave Bridge stands some 300 yards east of The Square, Heybridge, where Colchester Road crosses the Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Canal (EHER 15085). It is constructed of stone and steel supported by a brick pier on each side of the canal. In each of these piers there is a double row of drilled holes stretching their entire width, almost certainly bored to receive explosive charges with which to blow the bridge in the event of an imminent German attack. It is probable that they were made in the summer of 1940 when many other bridges throughout the country were being prepared for demolition. Each of the holes is 2" in diameter and there are 47 in each pier, 24 in the top row and 23 in the bottom. The holes are drilled up to 18" apart and there is 2 feet between rows. The depth of each hole appears to be around 17". Black Bridge, 400 yards to the north-west, was similarly treated, see EHER 401077. <2> Four photos. <2>