Anneka's Challenge Bridge

Had to make another trip to Wadebridge, and because I hate paying for an hour's parking for a 5 minutes, I parked on the far side of the river and used The Challenge pedestrian bridge over the Camel river .

The bridge was completed in 1991 as one of Anneka Rice's Challenge Anneka TV program.

Anneka Rice was challenged to help complete a 55m (180ft) pedestrian bridge across the River Camel to join both sides of the town of Wadebridge together.

Before the footbridge was built, pedestrians would have to use Wadebridge’s existing medieval period road bridge, built in 1460. This bridge is a marvel in itself with its stone construction and 17 arches. However the bridge carries a lot of traffic creating another problem in the form of pollution and noise for any pedestrians crossing its 100m length. Residents of the south side of Wadebridge also had a long way to walk to enjoy the playing fields of Elgoshayle on the other side.

Dr Keith Bailey, a major proponent of the new pedestrian bridge, left a sum of money in his will to help build it. However, due to rising costs the scheme was set aside until it was finally built by the Challenge Anneka programme and a group of volunteers.