Left Lake Bridge on the Redlake Tramway, South Dartmoor, Devon
N 50° 27.315 W 003° 54.468
30U E 435557 N 5589643
An old bridge on the long defunct Redlake Tramway on Hartford Moor, South Dartmoor.
Waymark Code: WM3EB7
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/23/2008
Views: 16
Red Lake lies in the heart of the South Moor. The overgrown spoil tip of the China Clay works can still be seen and is a prominent landmark. Work started in 1910 but had failed by 1933. Clay was hosed out from a deep pit and the slurry was transported via pumps to settling beds at Greenhill about a mile away. After a week or so of settling the sluices were opened and the clay in suspension flowed down pipes some 7 miles to the clay processing works near Ivybridge. As you walk along the tramway you will see the pipe nearby. The unwanted sand and gravel was loaded into trucks at Red Lake which were then tipped onto the waste tip that we see today. There was a railway which ran alongside the clay pipes that led down to Ivybridge. This was only used for moving people and basic materials. The railway was of 3ft gauge and small steam engines pulled 3 passenger carriages. Only the trackway remains - the rails are long gone. Today, Red Lake is an isolated place. There are 3 deep pools, ruined buildings as well as the tip. It is surrounded by mires and fen but is an interesting place to see. When you visit there you'll see why it's called Red. The route of the tramway is now a popular walk and is part of the Two Moors Way.
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Pedestrians and cyclist
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
Crosses an opening in a long embankment by Left Lake
Date constructed: 1910
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: No, the bridge was orginally a tramway bridge.
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Two Moors Way
Location:
Hartford Moor on South Dartmoor, Devon
Length of bridge: Not listed
Height of bridge: Not listed
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