The Lattis Iron Bridges (19 -21)
None of the three lattis iron bridges remain. In January 1970, the narrow but well used road between Thornton and the A422 (Stony Stratford to Buckingham) was closed for four years because of the dangerous condition of two of the three bridges. It is thought that the damage occurred because of the the weight of a heavy grain lorry. After lengthy bureaucratic wrangling and heel-dragging by the County Council, the bridges were finally removed. The bridges were never really a priority to be rebuilt as the road was not regarded as being that busy, despite it being used daily by all the traffic going to the College and the village - drivers had to make a detour of 20 miles. Bridges no. 19 and 20 were culverted and 21 was eventually rebuilt in 1974.
This bridge 19 was next to the old stone bridge (18) which goes over the Buckingham Arm of the canal (now dry)
Bridge 20 in 1974 with scaffolding put round it, ready to take it down.
Bridge 21 before demolition, photo 1991
Looking from bridge 21 in the winter.
Bridge 21 removed, 1974
Bridge 21 rebuilt in concrete1974.