Maidstone has had means of crossing the Medway since Anglo-Saxon times. Nothing about its structure is known, but in Richard II's reign the parish church was lavishly rebuilt as the setting for a wealthy new college, and it is thought that about that time the town's first bridge was built.

In 1808 the medieval bridge, which has been frequently condemned as out of date, was substantially widened and improved. With the considerable development of the West Borough, there was an increase in traffic on the bridge and it was found to be in need of extensive repair. It was too narrow for traffic passing over it and too low and inconvenient for barges.

In 1874 it was reported to be unsafe. It was thought to be better to replace it than to repair it, and Sir Joseph Bazalgette, a well-known London engineer, designed a new bridge. It was built alongside the old one and cost £32,000. Half of this sum was met by the Rochester Bridge Warden, an important charitable trust, and the remainder by a mortgage of the town and rates. On October 24 1877, the first pile was driven on a site just three feet from the old one.

Twenty-two months later the new bridge, with a waterway 32' wider than its predecessor, was ready for the grand opening ceremony. The High Street was decked in coloured lights and bunting. A detachment of troops lined the streets, with several constables standing at the approaches of the bridge. Five thousand school children were in Fairmeadow and there were thousands of spectators on the streets, in the shops and on the rooftops. At 2pm a procession, headed by a band of the First Kent rifle volunteers left the Town Hall. As well as the Mayor and members of his council, there were engineers and contractors and volunteers from the fire brigade.

After the speeches, the Mayor, Alderman Charles Ellis, placed a time capsule, a bottle filled with contemporary items, under the topmost stone of the bridge. Among the items was a list of names written on a newfangled typewriter. As the bridge was declared open, enthusiastic crowds cheer their approval. Salvoes of artillery were fired in Fairmeadow, church bells rang and the band of Royal Engineers played the national anthem. Recycled materials were put to good use in the 1870s. Shortly after the opening of the new bridge the old one was demolished and the stone removed to Burham, where it was used to build cottages.

The great bridge celebrates its 125 birthday this year.

By Ruth Spencer